History and Reviews
I was really inspired by music from a young age. When I was seven I started formal instruction at school on violin. Several years later, after watching Yo-Yo Ma perform the Bach Suites on PBS I knew I needed to play the cello. After begging to borrow an instrument from my school I began teaching myself anything I could on the cello.
I continued to earn a Bachelor of the Arts degree in cello performance from Northern Illinois University. I studied violin with Mathias Tacke, cello with Marc Johnson and Cheng-Hou Lee and viola with Anthony Devroye.
I continued to earn a Bachelor of the Arts degree in cello performance from Northern Illinois University. I studied violin with Mathias Tacke, cello with Marc Johnson and Cheng-Hou Lee and viola with Anthony Devroye.
My continued love and appreciation for my instruments has inspired me to not only learn traditional string repertoire, but also dabble in pop/rock, hip-hop, drum and bass, jazz and metal. I have had the benefit of being trained in several ways. Most of my early training was by myself in my bedroom, plinking through classical music I loved listening to, I studied traditional method in college from some of the best players in the world and later decided to further my own education by becoming a Suzuki Certified instructor on cello. These diverse backgrounds make my teaching style versatile and malleable. I focus every lesson on nurturing a comfortable atmosphere that students can thrive in, no matter what age or level. I also feel very comfortable teaching students with special needs and take every opportunity and challenge to not only push my students, but also continue to grow myself in order to be the best teacher I can possibly be.
Reviews From Parents
“Nissa is doing a great job teaching my very young daughter the violin. We had 2 other teachers last year at a different school and have learned more with Nissa this year than we did the entire year last year!”
“Just wanted to share with you how excited our daughter is… Her practicing time has dramatically increased since starting and, last night, a string broke on her instrument and she was so upset because she had to stop practicing!
Thanks for sharing your time and talents!”
“Thank YOU for your patience with these beginner students… I
don’t know how you do it, staying so positive amidst the screeches &
fuzzy strings… But it’s been a great start so far. Thanks!!”
Student testimonials:
“I have progressed at an amazing pace and am learning much faster than people who take from other instructors. I have won two awards in orchestra and was accepted into the Elgin Youth Symphony program”
“Nissa is awesome. She has taught me so much and helped me to become a better player and now I am first chair in orchestra. Nissa is the BEST!”
“Nissa is doing a great job teaching my very young daughter the violin. We had 2 other teachers last year at a different school and have learned more with Nissa this year than we did the entire year last year!”
“Just wanted to share with you how excited our daughter is… Her practicing time has dramatically increased since starting and, last night, a string broke on her instrument and she was so upset because she had to stop practicing!
Thanks for sharing your time and talents!”
“Thank YOU for your patience with these beginner students… I
don’t know how you do it, staying so positive amidst the screeches &
fuzzy strings… But it’s been a great start so far. Thanks!!”
Student testimonials:
“I have progressed at an amazing pace and am learning much faster than people who take from other instructors. I have won two awards in orchestra and was accepted into the Elgin Youth Symphony program”
“Nissa is awesome. She has taught me so much and helped me to become a better player and now I am first chair in orchestra. Nissa is the BEST!”
Nissa Sampson | nissansamsung@gmail.com | 630.939.7491
