How this got started

In 2015, I taught at a chamber music summer camp at Wake Forest University. That summer, a cello ensemble was formed, consisting of eight student cellists from the camp. Inspired by the pop cello duo 2Cellos, we performed my arrangement of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. As we explored all the parts—high and low—our goal was to experiment with creating new timbres and textures, allowing room for improvisation and exploration. We embraced the possibility of making mistakes, stretching the boundaries of what we thought our instrument could do.

During the final concert, one of the cellists stood up while he improvised, twirled his cello, and then dropped to the floor, and played the climax of the piece like an upside-down bug — completely fallen under the spell of spontaneity. The rest of us kept playing, grinning from ear to ear, knowing in that moment that cellists will always have each other's backs.

That spontaneous, fearless spirit is the foundation of the Cello Retreat. It’s about embracing creativity, taking risks, and supporting each other as we explore the limitless expressive potential of the cello.

— Grace Anderson, Director