Music Lessons

Services Offered

I offer private musical instruction both in-person at my home studio in East Knoxville and online, for:

  • piano lessons (beginner, intermediate, and advanced students of all ages)

  • cello lessons (beginner, intermediate, and advanced students of all ages)

  • voice lessons (beginning to intermediate students preferred - for the health of your voice, I do not recommend rigorous vocal training until middle school or beyond)

I teach students of all ages but require parental supervision for students younger than eighteen years of age. Children and adult students are welcome!

My Teaching Philosophy

Although I personalize my lesson approach for each student, I have four main goals when I work with any student:

  1. To give you a thorough knowledge of your instrument by studying scales and technical exercises, a wide range of repertoire, and listening opportunities.

  2. To give you the knowledge of music fundamentals you need to reach your unique goals, including music theory, aural skills, and reading music notation.

  3. To unlock your creative potential in whatever realm of music you choose, by exploring the possibilities of composing, improvising, arranging, and songwriting.

  4. To broaden your musical horizons by discovery and personal development. I believe that learning music can positively affect other areas of life, like our long-term planning, critical thinking, persistence, and emotional resilience. My musical instruction seeks to respect you not just as a musician but as a whole person.

My Musical Training

Why should you pick me as your music teacher? I personally understand the importance a music teacher can have in a student's life, because I deeply appreciate the personal and musical impact my teachers have made on me. Here are just some of the expert musicians I've had the privilege to learn from:


Primary Study: Theodore Ihsan Kartal, Miho Zaitsu, Michael Beert, Richard Evans, Janel Nelson, Anne-Marie Olson, Beth Fredrickson

Master Classes: Colin Carr, Carter Brey, Stephen Balderston, Avi Friedlander, Wesley Baldwin, Rafael Popper-Keiser, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

Chamber Music: Gloria Chien, Peter Miyamoto, Miranda Sielaff, Miho Zaitsu , Xiaoqing Yu, Young Yi


I am a seasoned performer, equally at home as a soloist, accompanist, or ensemble musician. In the classical world, I have enjoyed playing as a soloist as the winner of concerto competitions and as the principal cellist of multiple orchestras and ensembles. But I have also enjoyed playing weddings and events with my modern folk-inspired band, singing and playing repertoire ranging from traditional ballads to Beyonce! I am thrilled to share the unique magic of music performance with my students, striving to give them tips on performance anxiety, practice strategies, and audition preparation.


I am a certified K-12 instrumental and vocal music educator in the state of Tennessee, with a Bachelor's degree in Music and Education and a Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance. All of my students benefit from my university training in music theory and history, solo and ensemble performance, and improvisation and aural skills.


Most importantly, I am an experienced educator who cares about each of my students and truly enjoys the experience of partnering to learn music together. I bring my toolkit of Suzuki, Orff, and Kodaly training and more to each lesson, to create an experience that is right for your musical goals.


My Rates

I charge by month or by semester and allow you to choose the lesson time and rate that works best for you:

$45 per 60 minute lesson (recommended for intermediate, advanced, and adult students)

$35 per 45 minute lesson (recommended for older beginners and intermediate students)

$25 per 30 minute lesson (recommended for young beginners)

To receive more information on my studio policies and dates of instruction, please email me at kristianamccombs@gmail.com. I offer a free consultation call and a discounted introductory lesson so we can make an informed choice about working together.