Carlsen Cello Foundation

Seattle, Washington

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Applause!

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Carlsen and Carlsen Cello Foundation for the loan of a cello that I used while at CIM. I had previously been playing on the same cello that I bought when I was 13, and while it worked fine, it was no match for the learning experience I had from playing the very capable instrument on loan from the Foundation. Because of the loan, I was able to experience great excitement and joy from producing sounds that had previously been out of my ability to access.” – Joshua Roman, Concert artist and former Principal cellist, Seattle Symphony

I feel like there’s some kind of symbiosis that occurs in really great performers between their instrument and their brain or soul or whatever else you want to call it. That is, their ideas and concepts of the music have a direct pathway to flow from, i.e. their instrument, hands, fingers, and so on. It can be difficult to achieve that on an inferior instrument because the instrument will often work against you, which limits the fluidity of your playing and expression. When a better instrument comes along, like the Roth cello, many of the technical problems that I had on my own cello (such as smooth bow changes, even sound throughout various registers, etc.) went away – it’s now much easier to convey what I really want to convey to audiences because the cello does exactly what I want it to do.”
– Jay Campbell

The cello from the foundation is wonderful – I keep noticing great new nuances about it through each practice session; I love it more and more every day. Besides producing a full and rich tone, this cello is much more playable than my old instrument. Practicing has ceased to be a frustrating struggle – now it is a joy and an open invitation for me to explore the ranges of the instrument, and to challenge myself. Thank you so much for providing me with this instrument. It has been such a blessing in my life! “–Emma Childs

I would like to thank you for helping me gain a connection with Classical Music by lending me a cello. You have made it possible for me to spread my joy of music to other people around me.” – Dong Hon Yi

Thank you again, Dr. Carlsen, for the wonderful gift you gave to me during my school age years when I could not afford to buy a cello. Coming from 1 of 7 string players in a very musical family, it sure helped my Mom to be able to have a secure instrument to play on for so many years. Your cello soloed in symphony orchestras and played festively in corner city cafes. I don’t know what I would have done without it… I sure do miss that cello!!
– Julia Jurkiewicz

“My journey with Carlsen cello and the foundation changed who I am.And  I am and always will be grateful to have such a wonderful instrument and support from you and the foundation.” – Susan An

"This cello has opened up so many new technical possibilities which have lead to new musical possibilities, and then to new career possibilities. I cannot thank you enough! The price of an instrument that is musically sufficient, let alone playable, is such a hurdle. It has been discouraging to see so many fellow musicians get to a point where they give up on this craft, or feel that they have no other choice. Because of the generosity of groups like CCF, people like me feel like they can really keep going... like they really do have a place in the musical world."

- Paul Virgilio

Photo by Michael Cole
Miriam Shames, Director


Scott Carlsen


Jim Scurlock


Haeyoon Shin and Ray Carlsen

"I was 14 years old when I got the cello from Dr. Carlsen. It had been two years since I started cello and I had just changed teachers. I was in ninth grade and was working with a $1,200 Korean cello bought from Hammond Ashley. After I got the cello from Dr. Carlsen I started working harder with more responsibility and with more joy because of the better sounds that I was getting from the cello. Since then I have gotten another cello from Dr. Carlsen, a better one which I am working with now. It has helped me to compete in higher levels and to reach the level that I am at now, in the graduate program at Indiana University. The biggest change since I got the cello is my attitude towards the instrument, working harder and getting more satisfaction since the instrument responds much better to my efforts."

- Haeyoon Shin


Naomi Tran plays in Seattle Youth Symphony

"Outstanding young performers would greatly benefit from such an opportunity. They would progress much faster on a better instrument."

- David Tonkonogui, cellist and teacher, Seattle Symphony


Phuc Phan

"Thank you so much for letting me borrow the cello. I hope that generations of young aspiring cellists get to enjoy it as I did. I thank you, Dr. Carlsen, for letting so many of these young cellists progress in their studies without limitation from monetary barriers."

- D. G. Kim

Sterling Elliott, 2nd Place Winner, 16th Annual National Sphinx Competition (2/13)

"Sterling is enjoying the new cello and sounding better than ever! With the help of the Carlsen Cello Foundation, Sterling Elliott won 2nd Place at the 16th Annual Sphinx Competition today! Thank you for the cello Carlsen Foundation."
(February 15, 2013; Detroit, MI)

- Dannielle Weems-Elliott,
mother of Sterling


Janaesha Iwaasa selecting a CCF cello

"I cannot tell you how much your cello has changed my life. There is nothing quite like having a real instrument--it has opened up new worlds of technique I never dreamed possible. Without the foundation cello, I would likely not have had the technique to be accepted (and given scholarships!) into these incredible music schools. Thank you so much for everything you have given me!"

- Janaesha Iwaasa, attending Rice University as of Fall 2013


Tanner Rodriguez and Ray Carlsen

Recent Posts

  • Lynn Harrell, January 30, 1944 – April 27, 2020
  • GiveBIG 2020 – help us say “Cello to the Future!”

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Latest Posts

  • Lynn Harrell, January 30, 1944 – April 27, 2020
  • GiveBIG 2020 – help us say “Cello to the Future!”

Carlsen Cello Foundation

2212 Queen Anne Avenue #301
Seattle, WA 98109
Telephone: (206) 579-6233

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