Suzanne Smith, CelloChanWoods Founder and Director, has performed and taught for over 30 years. During that time she has developed a philosophy of teaching that includes the whole person in ways that help ignite the creative process and instill confidence in her students. A pursuit of excellence at CCW takes place in this context. Over the last seven years, many cellists have left CelloChanWoods with a new clarity about their personal, cellistic, and artistic goals. A highly supportive community of musicians makes it all the more possible.

Ms. Smith has a bachelors in performance from Oberlin Conservatory under the late Richard Kapuscinski, formerly a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She went on to complete a Masters in Music under Bernard Greenhouse of the Beaux Arts Trio. After doing two more years of post graduate study with Mr. Greenhouse, she later worked with Janos Starker over a 2 year period from 2010-2012. At the Tanglewood Music Festival she performed under Colin Davis, Michael Tillson Thomas, Seji Ozawa, and Gunther Schuller. In master class Suzanne has worked with Lynn Harell at the Scotia Festival, Jules Eskin at the Sarasota Festival, Rya Garbasova at the Cleveland Institute, and more. Suzanne studied the Suzuki method in the 1980s with Evon Tate, Gilda Barston, and was honored to have a meeting with Dr. Suzuki himself in 1970. She has preformed as chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral performer throughout her life. Presently she is principal cellist of the Montpelier, VT. Chamber Orchestra and performs as part of Vermont Virtuosi in Vermont.