Top Pro

Dianne Betkowski Cello Lessons

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Denver, CO & Online

About

I’ve been a professional cellist and teacher for 40 years. I teach cello from a classical as well as non-classical perspective. I am the cellist of an award-winning World Music ensemble but I have also performed, toured and recorded with internationally acclaimed, Grammy-winning symphony orchestras. I find a way to connect with each of my students, identifying learning styles, and strengths as well as areas that need improvement. I achieve results and help students become the best musicians they can be. I am kind and encouraging, knowledgable, insightful, articulate and fun. Learning to play the cello should be joyful, and I try to make sure it is!

Highlights

Hired 3 times

1 employee

36 years in business

Serves Denver, CO

Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Venmo, Zelle

Social media

Specialties

Student's age

11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Student has instrument

Student who has an instrument, Student who is planning to purchase an instrument and would like advice

Photos and videos

Reviews

0.0

0 reviews

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nat T.

Im a new adult cello student, and Ive been taking lessons with Dianne for four months. Shes been great about helping me know what to focus on, helps me see where I need more work (without making me feel bad), and also does a great job guiding me in building technique while still enjoying the process of learning.

May 12, 2026

richard S.

Dianne has a classical background, while currently performing in modern and avante garde genres. She thus has very broad background and perspective. Dianne has remarkable flexibility to adapt to whatever is needed in a particular lesson, based on the student’s desires, abilities, and preparation. Perhaps most important, she imbues a spirit of creativity and fun to the student and to the lessons.

May 09, 2026

patricia L.

I am someone who quit the cello for 27 years. Dianne is patient and fun. I really appreciate her teaching methods. She makes me believe I can move past where I was when I stopped playing. I highly recommend Dianne

June 30, 2025

peter F.

Very creative and highly focused on specific student needs. Helps with phrasing and with some added dynamics.

June 27, 2025

kimberly M.

I started playing cello in my 50s, having never played any instrument previously. I chose Dianne because shes an amazing cellist. Im so glad because shes also an amazing teacher. She is full of ideas to make difficult aspects of cello playing manageable to learn. Sessions with her are enjoyable (so important), and she is super encouraging, which I need because I tend to get frustrated and be hard on myself. She also reminds me to have fun, which I need sometimes. Im learning good technique and making good progress, and Im still persisting a couple years after starting, which I dont think I would have done with a different instructor. Highly recommend!

June 26, 2025

paul M.

wow what a truly amazing person and musician to work with i’ve had many teachers throughout the years playing multiple instruments and the experience you get with Dianne is truly exceptional. I couldn’t recommend higher ! She really cares about your journey and will help you get where you’re trying to go !

May 05, 2025

Frequently asked questions

What is your typical process for working with a new student?

We get to know each other: I see how my new student learns, what they want to acheive, and how they best communicate, and my new student sees how I teach and what my plan is for them.We then most often settle into a very happy routine, and my students make a lot of progress. I aim to find a mutually-enjoyable balance of reasonable ambitions with joy in the process of learning to make music.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I have a degree in music performance from the University of Illinois School of Music, and a Masters Degree from Boston University. I've studied and performed solo, orchestral, and chamber music, and my compositions have been performed by numerous professional orchestras. I've been teaching for about 40 years.

Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.

I currently charge $100 per hour ($75 for 45 minutes; $50 for 30 minutes). I do have a sliding scale for those students needing it, and I negotiate that case by case. Beginner students start with 30 minute lessons until we find that, through a certain amount of progress, we need 45 minutes, and then eventually we work up to hour-long lessons. I am flexible and make sure that everything is agreeable with each individual student-length of lesson/price.

How did you get started teaching?

I have been teaching since I was very young. It seems I have always been teaching one thing or another-tutoring, general music, cello, chamber music, orchestra sectionals, etc...When I was in high school and also as an undergraduate, I was asked by my cello professor, Gabriel Magyar (of the Old Hungarian Quartet) to teach his younger students when he was away on tour. I've also taught orchestral repertoire to the cellists of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

What types of students have you worked with?

I've worked with the very young and the very old, some who have learning differences, some on the spectrum, some with physical handicaps, and some with dementia. I try to be really adaptive with everyone who learns with me. Even without "special needs" we all need to be fathomed and met where our needs and abilities intersect.

What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?

Try a few teachers out, take first lessons with them to see how the chemistry is with each, and then go with your gut. No teacher is perfect, but one should feel respected and liked. If you're a beginner it may be difficult to perceive a teacher's abilities, but hopefully you'll have an instinct about a teacher's expertise.

What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?

What are your ambitions? Play for your own pleasure? Join a music group eventually? Take an audition for a group or school? Learn a particular style of music? Discus these things with any prospective teacher and make sure this is agreeable and doable with them. Your goals may change over time and that's fine. Be sure to always communicate those things with the teacher you choose!

Services offered

Cello