Blog - Cello by Triana

Sweet Thank you Note!!

Our group got this wonderful thank you note after a performance in October at Trondjem Lutheran Church. This is from Dawn G. :

I want to take a moment to thank you—truly and deeply—for the countless hours you poured into practicing and preparing for this past Sunday’s Out of Darkness-Light Begins.

Your dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Every note you played carried not just technical precision, but a depth of feeling that could only come from people who had truly internalized the message of the music. You gave us more than a performance—you gave us a gift. One that stirred hearts, lifted spirits, and brought many of us closer to something sacred.

It’s easy to hear beautiful music. But to feel it the way we did—to be moved by it—that takes more than talent. It takes heart, discipline, and a willingness to let yourself be a vessel for something greater. You did that. And it mattered.

Thank you for your sacrifice, your passion.. You brought light to our community in a way words alone never could.”

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

Now Booking Christmas & Holiday Parties!

I’m excited to have so much Christmas and holiday cello music to play for the upcoming season!

The first week of December is pretty full already so contact me soon for your holiday parties. I’ve performed at family gatherings, corporate events, restaurants, wineries.. even the airport!

I used to play every year at an older couple’s home during the holiday season. They had four generations visiting them every December and it was such a joyful night to be a part of. Music, food, family, warmth.. what more can you ask?

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

Pets & the Cello!

Every pet I’ve ever had has always been super suspicious of my cello at first. They act scared and either run away or bark at it.. I think to them it seems like this creature that has suddenly come to life.. and this creature is very very loud!!

Our new dog Smokey was the same way when we got him last year. He barked, approached the cello, ran away, barked at it from around the corner, barked at it from behind the couch.. it lasted for about 10 minutes and now listening to me play is one of his favorite hobbies!

He loves laying down, sleeping, or playing with his toys while I play.. but if I start packing my bags and buckling the case all the way he identifies that as a time that i’m leaving.. which means a lot of whining and crying.. why can’t you stay here ALL DAY and play JUST FOR MEEEE!!!

Sorry Smokey I have to leave sometimes lol!!

Here is Smokey with his pickleball and his new friend Willow :

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

Considering Matthew Shepard Performance!

We have an incredibly beautiful and moving performance of Considering Matthew Shepard last Sunday at Trondhjem Lutheran Church in Lonsdale, MN.

I made it until the last song before crying so it was a win!

I have been a part of so many different ensembles over the years. It’s such a huge stress reliever when the leader/director is organized and has great communication skills.

The choir director at the Trondhjem Lutheran Church, Blake Wieseler, was so easy to work with. Knowing that someone has the musical goal in clear sight is so important and makes the piece come to life!

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

Considering Matthew Shepard

Honored and excited to perform selections from Considering Matthew Shepard at Trondjem Lutheran Church in Lonsdale, MN Sunday Oct. 12!

This is a beautiful work and a really rewarding project with 6 musicians and a 12 person choir. The total performance time is about 45 minutes and you’ll definitely want to bring some tissues!

Considering Matthew Shepard is a Grammy-nominated three-part oratorio composed by Craig Hella Johnson. The work is an evocative and compassionate musical response to the murder of University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard, on October 6, 1998.

I found it interesting that the composer is actually from Minnesota! Johnson’s choir group, Conspirare, has more info about the work here.

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

I just joined the Dakota Valley Symphony and I’m so excited to be playing with them on Oct. 5th! I can’t help it but I’m also so so so excited to be playing the Sorcerer’s Apprentice written by Paul Dukas in 1897..

All three parts are on YouTube.. Of course all of Disney’s Fantasia is a must watch for all ages!! I remember falling in love with classical music as a kid watching this movie over and over again at my Grandma’s house..

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

Family Halloween Concert with Dakota Valley Symphony!

So excited to be performing with the Dakota Valley Symphony on Sunday Oct. 5, 2025 at the Ames Center in Burnsville! The reherasals have been really fun and the concert is going to be awesome.

It’s a super kid friendly lineup with music from:

Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, with narration
Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf
John Williams: Superman Theme
Richard Audd: Concert Fanfare for Orchestra
James Newton Howard: Music from Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
John Powell: How to Train Your Dragon

Tickets are only $15 at the box office and kids are free! With costumes and games starting at 1pm, and the music starting at 2pm, this is going to be an awesome Sunday, a wonderful start to the Halloween season, and a fun family excursion that you will all remember!

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Minneapolis Wedding Ceremony Musician

Duet for Cello + Dryer

Recorded this the other day and thought it turned out pretty good!

Things like this always take a lot longer to record than you’d think. First of all, the dryer isn’t a musical instrument so you can’t just hit “play”. It only sings when the laundry is done!

The shortest cycle is 4 minutes and you really don’t know exactly when it’s going to start singing… which means a lot of waiting around!

I ended up recording it on my Zoom h4 and then played along with that over and over.. and over again until the stars aligned and the laundry/music was done lol 🙂

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Wedding Ceremony Musician

Accepting new students in New Prague and Northfield!

I just got my fall schedule pretty set with students at Downtown Sound in New Prague and at Hostpot Music in Northfield but I am always open to take a few more!

I don’t take that many students as I want to give each of them as much energy as I can, including an individualized lesson plan based on their unique interests and personality.

My goal is to teach them as much about classical music as I can, with a short term goal of getting them on stage as soloist and with an orchestra.. and with the long term goal of turning them into a music aficionado for life!

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Wedding Ceremony Musician

Defeat of Jesse James Days Concert!

I’m performing with the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra Saturday Sept. 6th at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Northfield as part of the DJJD festival aka the Defeat of Jesse James Day!

Cello by Triana – Minnesota Wedding Cellist, Cello Lessons, Wedding Ceremony Musician