Cello

Patricia Rezende Vanuci is from Sao Paulo-Brazil and is currently pursuing her second master’s degree in cello performance at the University of Manitoba. Her first contact with music came from her father, an amateur musician who inspired her to listen to music and try to play some instruments. The cello got into her life when she was 14 years old in a social project in Brazil called Projeto Guri. After that, she was sure that music was everything to her, a career, a way to spread hope, and happiness to the community. As a student, Patricia was a prize winner of the Youth Orchestra of São Paulo State competition and got to play as a soloist in one of the principal halls in Brazil, São Paulo Hall (Sala São Paulo). Still in Brazil, Patricia pursued her bachelor’s degree at the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). She played in professional orchestras in Brazil, such as Brazil Jazz Symphony, Bachiana Philharmonic SESI São Paulo, Academic Orchestra of São Paulo, and others. Moreover, she has played in venues such as Sala São Paulo, Municipal Theatre of São Paulo, and Claudio Santoro Auditorium. In The United States, Patricia won a scholarship to study music at The University of Southern Mississippi. There she learned English and then pursued her first master’s degree in music performance. In the US, Patricia played with professional orchestras such as Meridian Symphony Orchestra and Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Her passion for teaching came in the US, where she got a graduate assistantship position and became the assistant of Dr. Alexander Russakovsky, her major professor. Patricia had her debut at the Carnegie Hall in 2019 with The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and its Choir. In 2021 Patricia got a scholarship to study at the Desautels Faculty of Music with Dr. Minna Rose Chung. At U of M, she has played the principal cello of the U of M Symphony Orchestra, worked as a student technician, and as Dr. Chung’s assistant. As a professor, Patricia has given master’s classes in Brazil and has been sharing her knowledge gathered through her career. Patricia is a passionate musician and professor who seeks to show in her teaching how classical music can be fun and loved.

Are you able to teach music in additional languages to English?

I also offer lessons in Spanish and Portuguese.

What is your education and experience?

Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Habilitation in cello at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) – Brazil Master`s Degree in Cello Performance at The University of Southern Mississippi – United States, Graduate Assistant. Currently, Master’s Degree in cello Performance at The University of Manitoba – Canada.

What made you decide to study music?

My passion for music came up when I was little through my father, an amateur musician who influenced me to play a musical instrument; the guitar was the first, later the pandeiro (Brazilian percussion instrument), and the accordion. Although I loved playing those instruments, I never got high-level technic, so I kept searching for a musical instrument that would light the flame in my heart. The cello was introduced to me at a social project when I was 14 years old, and at that moment, I could see myself pursuing a career and seeing myself as a professional musician.

How are your lessons unique?

I have learned from my professors and own experience that each student is unique and that there is no magic method to learning an instrument. The uniqueness of my lessons is that I aim to catch each student’s strengths and weaknesses and work on them in class. Working on both helps a student to gain confidence in her playing while learning new content.

What’s your favourite part about teaching?

My favorite part of teaching is seeing the students progress and overcoming their weaknesses. Furthermore, I love the exchange of knowledge between professors and students. As a professor, I am always learning with students about different ways of explaining things and different ways to approach each situation. I enjoy the challenge that it brings.

What would you say to someone who is interested in studying music?

Enjoy the experience of learning how to play an instrument and the benefits it brings to your body, mind, and soul. Listen to music, try instruments, and go to live performances. It motivates you to practice and gives more clear idea about how you want to play. That was what I did and still do. Listening to cellists that admire doing live concerts makes me go to the practice room. Be patient during the process because learning an instrument takes time and many hours of practice. Take your own pace and be happy with each step accomplished