Classical... |
...and Pop! |
![]() I am classically trained, with two degrees in cello performance. I play on an instrument that was made in 1780. I am very serious about teaching ergonomic cello technique to aid in effortless musical expression. I play in traditional orchestras, string quartets, and as a soloist. Here's the Delius Double Concerto at Spivey Hall
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![]() I love all types of music!
I use my "bar" cello on occasions that might get rowdy. I am a singer-songwriter myself, but I also enjoy a good jam session. I have done a lot of studio work for pop, folk, funk, and rock albums--and movie soundtracks too! Check out my funky solo!
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My Bio
Nan Kemberling is a cellist on a mission. Whether she is performing a classical concerto, teaching in her studio, rocking out on a nightclub stage, or rapping about ergonomic cello technique, her efforts are always focused on two things: bringing people to the cello, and bringing cello to the people.
Nan decided to take up the cello at ten years old after seeing a KGB sniper-cellist tangle with James Bond in the film The Living Daylights. She trained under cello guru Martha Gerschefski, was an Osher Scholar at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in cello performance.
Since completing her education, Nan has gone on to perform in Brazil, Chile, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, China, and Taiwan, as well as across the U.S. She has played with popular artists including Johnny Mathis, Sarah McLachlan, Jennifer Hudson, Barry Manilow, Wynonna Judd, Bobby McFerrin, Donna Summer, and Gloria Estefan. Among her televised appearances are performances with Josh Groban on the Oprah Winfrey Show as one of "Oprah's Favorite Things" and with Celtic Woman on their PBS special, Believe. In 2009, she recorded the educational cello rap video "Always Room 4 Cello," which has received over 70,000 views on YouTube. Between 2010 and 2014, she fronted the alt-rock band Pink Pompeii, with whom she wrote songs, sang, played cello, and recorded two albums (available on Spotify, iTunes, and CDbaby). |
Today, Nan plays in the pit orchestra for the Broadway musicals that come to the Fox Theatre, leads the cello section of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and just released a solo album of her original songs written for multitrack cello and voice. When not performing, she teaches students young and old at Little Tree Art Studios in Atlanta, and publishes her thoughts on cello performance and education along with her own original cartoons on her blog at nancello.com. Above all, she continues to dedicate every day to erasing the boundaries that have separated people from the joy and magic a cello can create.
Groups I perform with:![]() In the following video, I am sitting principal of the Savannah Philharmonic!
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Atlanta Celli![]() I love my cello quartet! We have a blast together--and now we are even presenting workshops at corporate training seminars on teamwork!
We enjoy performing the intricacies of classical music but are just as likely to be found playing eclectic arrangements of rock and pop songs--as well as our own original works. Whether on stage in a traditional concert hall or in a late-night club, we will rock you! |