Colleen McGary-Smith, Cello, Viola da Gamba

A versatile and adventurous performer, Colleen McGary-Smith appears throughout New England on historical and modern cellos as well as viola da gamba. Colleen is a member of both Boston Baroque and the Handel and Haydn Society, with whom she has recorded on the Linn Records, Coro, and Telarc labels.

Recent season highlights include performances with The Berry Collective, Les Bostonades, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, Newton Baroque, Columbus Symphony, Canton Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, and the Washington Bach Consort. Tutti Bassi, Colleen’s duo with baroque cellist Sarah Freiburg, explores the rich repertoire of baroque cello Sonatas and duos. Colleen has also performed on viola gamba with NYC renaissance ensemble Sonnambula.

Colleen is a dedicated cello teacher and enthusiastic chamber music instructor. She currently teaches at Powers Music School, Concord Academy, and the Acton Public Schools. She also maintains a private studio in Littleton, MA.  Previous positions include teaching appointments at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Department and the Community Music School of Boston. Colleen believes that music is for everyone and accepts students of all levels ­– ages 3 to 103!

Born into a musical family, Colleen began her cello studies at the age of 5 in St. Catherines, Ontario Canada. She attended classes at the Eastman School of Music Preparatory Department and went on to receive her Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with renowned pedagogue Alan Harris.  After graduation, Colleen continued studies with Alan Harris and Richard Aaron while teaching in the Preparatory Department of CIM.  She received her Master of Music degree from Boston University where her primary instructors were Andres Diaz on modern cello and Alice Robbins on baroque cello and viola da gamba. Other influential instructors include Jane Hershey, Phoebe Carrai, Timothy Eddy, John Hsu and Suzanne Wijsman.

Colleen resides in Littleton, Massachusetts with her husband, Matt and sons Simon and Oliver.  In her free time, she enjoys cycling, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Find out more at www.colleenmcgarysmith.com