There are a couple places you can start your search:
- Local community music schools. A quick internet search should turn up hits in your area.
- The cello professor at the local university may have some suggestions.
- Online databases, such as American String Teachers Association or Suzuki Association.
Once you have some leads, get in touch with the prospective teachers. Tell them about yourself and what you’re looking for in lessons. You want to give the teacher an idea of where you’re coming from so they can determine if they can help you.
The information you’ll want to gather from the teacher might include their fee, policy on missing lessons, and if they require a commitment on a semester basis. You’ll also most likely come away from that initial contact with a feel for each teacher’s personality, which is perhaps the most important part.
Once you find someone, set up an initial lesson and see how it goes! Just be honest with the teacher and tell them you’d like to take one lesson (some teachers charge for this, some don’t). If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, try someone else on your list. If it does, congratulations! You’ve found your teacher!