About
A classically trained cellist, Tara has performed worldwide across the United States, Europe, Central America and South America. Tara is a graduate from the Professional Studies program at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She received her Masters degree in cello performance on full scholarship from the University of Miami, and her Bachelors degree in cello performance with High Honors from the University of Michigan. Her teachers include Richard Aaron, Ross Harbaugh, Anthony Elliott, and Louis Potter, Jr..
Most recently, Tara was voted a Top 3 Finalist in the 2008 My Grammy Moment Contest! As a result, she performed live with the Foo Fighters at the 2008 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 10th. Along with performing "The Pretender" with the Foo's as part of the My Grammy Moment Orchestra, Tara was introduced on national television and performed a short improvised solo, in front of a live audience and an estimted 17.5 million viewers at home. For photos, videos, and stories about her week in LA, please visit Tara's My Grammy Moment Photo Journal!
Tara has been a member of the Akron Symphony since coming to Cleveland in 2004. She is also a member of the Mayfield String Quartet and Arion String Ensembles.
In the non-classical realm, Tara plays cello for the Indie band, the Unsparing Sea. US was recently chosen to perform in the North by Northeast Music & Film Festival in Toronto!! They will be performing Thursday June 12th at 8PM on the Boat. Please see the NXNE website for more details. For more band information and audio clips, visit Tara's US Audio page or US's Myspace page.
Tara has performed on tours and shows with Kanye West, Josh Groban, Barry Manilow, the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Smokey Robinson. She has also performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Leonard Slatkin, Benjamin Zander, Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Sarah Chang, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, James Newton Howard, Randy Newman, and John Corigliano. Tara is an alumnist of the Henry Mancini Institute, the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Tara is a dedicated teacher and loves working with students of all ages and skill levels. She is trained and certified in the Suzuki Cello Method, and incorporates traditional cello pedagogy in her teaching. Tara is on the faculties of the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory School, Beck Center for the Arts, Fairmount Center for the Arts, Avon School of Music and the Fairmount School of Music, and also teaches a limited number of private in-home students.
Tara has recorded cello for the following albums:
