Discover the joy of making music
Private cello lessons and improvisation workshops in Seattle that help build confidence, creativity, and authentic self-expression.
Your child wants to play cello, but where to start?
They light up when they hear music. They’ve asked to play the cello, or their school is starting a strings program. You want to give them the best possible foundation: an experience that builds confidence, joy, and a lifelong love of music.
Maybe you’ve heard of the Suzuki method and are wondering:
Will my child learn to read music?
Will lessons be too strict, or not structured enough?
How can I support my child if I’m not a musician myself?
Perhaps you’re a music enthusiast parent who wants your child’s experience of learning an instrument to be more positive than the one you had as a kid.
You’re looking for an approach that builds confidence and joy instead of pressure or fear.
Music study enriches children’s minds and hearts by building focus, patience, and self-expression. Parents want something meaningful and growth-oriented for their child: a creative pursuit that strengthens confidence and family connection.
Whether your child is brand new to music or starting cello a little later, or if they simply need a teacher who can balance structure, creativity, and compassion, you’re in the right place.
(And if you’re a teen or adult wanting to start cello for yourself, you’re in the right place, too.)
Working with a Suzuki-trained music teacher makes all the difference.
At You Are Here to Create, students of all ages develop lifelong musicianship through individualized instruction grounded in the Suzuki philosophy and enriched by creative improvisation.
The combination of Suzuki method + improvisation is a joyful approach that helps students listen deeply, experiment with sound, and discover their own musical voice.
Lessons are designed to meet each student where they are by combining compassionate teaching, clear technique, purposeful practice habits, and accessible improvisation exercises that make learning engaging and fun.
For students under 18, parents are active partners in the process and gain tools to support their child’s musical growth at home.
Heather Jacobs, Suzuki Cello Instructor and Certified Music Improvisation Teacher, offers private lessons and workshops in Seattle’s north end.
Welcome!
I’m Heather Jacobs, a cellist, writer, composer, and music teacher based in Seattle’s north-end Whittier neighborhood.
As a Suzuki Cello Instructor and Certified Music Improvisation Teacher, my mission is to help students of all ages (adults too!) become the joyful, creative, confident musicians they want to be!
I know firsthand the value of music to transform lives. After years working in language education and the literary arts, I felt my musical roots calling to me. I craved the joy and spark that music always brought to my life. Now I help others, young and old, discover an authentic connection to their musical selves.
My approach blends Suzuki philosophy, experiential learning, and music improvisation. I aim to empower students to build strong technique while cultivating self-compassion and creative confidence. I believe that every student can learn to play beautifully in an encouraging environment that honors their pace and personality.
If you’re ready to start private lessons for cello or learn improvisation on any instrument, I invite you to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you!
—Heather
“Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.”
— Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
The spirit of compassion and patience is at the heart of my teaching, which aims to help children and adults alike experience music as a joyful, lifelong part of who they are.
The Suzuki method is:
Encouraging • Nurturing • FUN!
Your action plan
for helping your child discover the joy of making music
Step 1
Book a free 20-minute video chat, which will take place over Zoom. It’s super easy!
Step 2
Attend the video chat, discuss learning goals, get your questions answered, and see if we’re a good fit to work together.
Step 3
Begin weekly music lessons, and help your child start the journey to a lifelong love of music!
Photo by Sarah Pizzichemi
Why work with me?
My teaching goes beyond traditional instruction. I bring together:
Suzuki-certified skill building for a solid technical foundation.
Improvisation practices that unlock creativity, confidence, and ease.
Every lesson is tailored to your unique needs, with the goal of cultivating musicians who play with joy, not fear.
See what my students are saying:
Frequently asked questions
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I offer music instruction for individuals and groups, including:
Beginning and intermediate cello students, using the Suzuki method. (What is the Suzuki method?)
Improvisation on any instrument.
The style of improvisation I teach is social music improvisation, which helps you tap into your innate musical voice, the melodies and rhythms that live inside you.
By taking lessons from me, your child will expand your palette of musical expressivity, engage in musical play with others of all experience levels, and reconnect emotionally and physically with your instrument and/or voice.
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Yes, I teach adults, too! I work with kids age 4+ and adults, from beginners to intermediate players.
For students under age 18, parents must attend all lessons, too — it’s part of the Suzuki method.
No matter your age or playing level, it’s never too late to focus on the fundamentals and foundational skills that all players need and that make playing your instrument so much easier and more enjoyable.
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For private instruction, my rate is $90 for 60 minutes. Many younger students choose to do a half-hour lesson for $45.
Interested in group or online classes? Contact me for pricing.
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My studio is in the north end of Seattle, in the Whittier neighborhood. My students typically come from the surrounding neighborhoods of Greenwood, Phinney, Ballard, and Crown Hill.
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The Suzuki method teaches music the way children learn language: through listening, repetition, and encouragement. It’s a nurturing, family-centered approach that helps students build confidence and skill.
Want to learn more? Read this brief explainer on the Suzuki method.
Watch your child’s confidence grow with compassionate, structured music lessons.
Music is a language of love, focus, and joy. Learn how Suzuki cello lessons can bring those qualities into your home and nurture your child’s skill and confidence.
Every musician starts with a single note. Let’s make the first one together.
Let’s talk →
Interested in working together?
Have questions, or just want to talk things through first?
Use the form on this page to send me a message. I’d love to hear from you!