Session Cellist

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am in the process of releasing my debut album, Planespotting, which will be available in March. My first single "Tucson" is out now on all streaming platforms.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I found this website through my friend Rachel Gawell, who is an incredible cellist! I would highly recommend her.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: My workflow is all digital. I have not yet needed to convert any of my rig to analog gear.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I promise to deliver a cello part that perfectly suites their song, and to help them achieve their artist vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the challenge of creating the perfect recording and the privilege of making money doing what I love.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: I would bring my cello, my Taylor acoustic guitar, a harmonica, a slide, and a laptop.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: After I finished school, I immediately started touring. After touring with a post-rock band all around the country, I started subbing on broadway and eventually toured the country again with the broadway show "Waitress". While on the road, I studied audio production and learned how to make quality home recordings. I have been recording professionally for artists for the last 5 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: These days, I seem to sound folksy and folksy by the day. I try to emulate fiddle players as a cellist, creating a vocal quality instead of a traditional classical cello sound.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with Jason Isbell. I think he is the best songwriter in the game right now!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I get the impression that a lot of mix engineers don't have a great reference for what the tonal strengths of the cello are. Cellos are often mixed way too dark because the mix engineer is thinking of it as a bass instrument. Cellos should have the same brightness and clarity as a vocal track!

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I typically work with singer-songwriters.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is accomplishing the task at hand during a session; working with the artist to record what THEY need, and not centering myself.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a great ear for writing compelling and tasteful cello parts that draw the right amount of interest without upstaging the singer. When needed - my technical ability from years of studying classical cello allows me to play flashy and complicated parts too.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When writing cello parts, I try to write a beautiful moving line that compliments the vocal melody without ever getting in the way. When recording, I do as many takes as needed to ensure that the performance is perfect for what the client needs.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a few really wonderful microphones in my arsenal. I have a DPA 4099 close mic for my cello, along with a stereo pair of Warm Audio WA-84 microphones that can run either cardioid or omni. Additionally, I also own a Neumann TLM-102 large diaphragm microphone. Typically, I will use a combination of the DPA close mic with the WA-84 stereo pair as overheads, but I am happy to change things up depending on what the client is going for!

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I am very experienced in writing and recording beautiful cello parts for singer-songwriter music. I am also very comfortable playing off of charts and sheet music.