Natasha Jaffe
BCA Founder [ Teaches in 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 ]
In Berlin since 2012, Natasha has always dreamed of creating a community of cellists. Her favorite ensemble is the cello ensemble, so she started the Cellibears amateur cello ensemble in 2016 and also the professional Cellogy Cello Ensemble in 2015. She has been composing and arranging music for cello ensembles since 2008, and has released two albums of cello ensemble compositions. She has a Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance from SUNY Potsdam, NY, USA as well as a Master of Music in Cello Performance from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Since moving to Berlin, she has been playing as a freelance cellist with singer-songwriters, orchestras, chamber ensembles, for recording sessions, and video shoots.
As a teacher, she has been giving lessons privately since 2010 as well as group classes from 2014. She loves teaching the nerdy details of technique (probably thanks to her professor Jeffrey Solow at Temple University) as well as the love for musical imagery, thanks to her parents Johanne Perron and Claudio Jaffe (both pro cellists). She has specialized in teaching adults because she wants to prove that they learn just as well, and sometimes better, than kids ;)
She teaches privately in Prenzlauerberg and also in BCA group classes all around Berlin.
Three reasons why Natasha might be the right teacher for you:
- You love classical, but also like to do non-classical music
- You are an adult learner
- You want a teacher who will focus on technique details
When Natasha's not playing the cello, you'll find her: horseback riding! 🐴
Lee Robert
BCA Team [ Teaches in 🇬🇧 – Kids welcome! ]
Lee Robert is an internationally performed cellist originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has appeared on stages around the world, including Carnegie Hall, St. Louis, Chicago, Sydney, Kraków, and Vienna. Despite his extensive performance experience, Lee’s greatest passion lies in sharing the joy of music through teaching.
After earning his degree in Cello Performance from the renowned College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and completing Suzuki teacher training, Lee founded Griffith Talent Education, a private studio dedicated to cello instruction. Under his direction, the studio grew to include more than 40 students ranging in age from six to sixty-five, representing diverse backgrounds from across the city. Lee is now reestablishing his teaching studio in his new home of Berlin.
Beyond private instruction, Lee has served as a music camp director, youth orchestra conductor, and masterclass clinician, in addition to performing with various regional orchestras.
Three reasons why Lee might be the right teacher for you:
- You want a teacher who approaches teaching cello by cultivating a growth mindset
- You're flexible on playing classical or other kinds of music (anime!!)
- You'd be interested in a Suzuki trained teacher
When Lee isn't playing the cello, you'll find him: playing board games with friends! 🎲
Dalai Cellai
BCA Team [ Teaches in 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇬🇷 ]
Dalai Cellai is a Greek-Mongolian cellist, singer, composer and educator who has been based in Berlin since 2008, where she immersed herself in the city’s vibrant classical, jazz, and underground music scenes. She holds a Diploma in Classical Cello Performance with distinction from the Conservatory of Art & Technology in Athens and has studied with Dimitris Gouzios (student of Jaqueline Du Pré), Catalin Ilea (UDK Berlin), and Lucio Amanti (Jazz Cellist & Composer).
Since then, she has built an international career performing with various bands such as Sólstafir and The Ocean Collective, appearing in theatre productions including Cirque Bouffon and Staatstheater Meiningen, and developing her own artistic projects like the cinematic dark-art duo Black Veil and the chamber metal ensemble Antiqva. Dalai also works as a recording artist for film and TV, collaborating on projects for HBO, Netflix, and international art films.
As a teacher, she has been giving lessons for over 15 years – privately and in group settings — working with students from complete beginners to advanced performers. Alongside cello, Dalai also teaches singing, supporting students who want to explore voice, cello-and-voice performance, or expand their musical expression. Her teaching blends classical technique with improvisation, modern styles, and creative exploration.
She also coaches students for stage performance, helping them develop confidence, presence, and a strong artistic identity. She especially enjoys teaching adults, supporting them in building solid technique while encouraging personal expression and musical curiosity.
Three reasons why Dalai might be the right teacher for you:
- You want a mix of classical foundation and modern, creative approaches
- You’re interested in improvisation, sound effects, or combining voice and cello
- You want a supportive teacher who can also guide you toward confident stage performance
Eurico Mathias
BCA Collective Member [ Teaches in 🇬🇧 🇧🇷 🇵🇹 ]
Eurico began playing the cello at the age of 18 in his hometown, Porto Alegre, at the OSPA (Symphony Orchestra of Porto Alegre) School of Music. Soon after taking up his cello studies, he started playing in orchestras as a professional musician. Moving to São Paulo, he had the opportunity to play in orchestras such as OCAM (Chamber Orchestra of the University of São Paulo), Orquestra Experimental de Repertorio, OSUSP (Symphony Orchestra of São Paulo), and many others.
In 2009, he moved to Portugal to study cello at the University of Aveiro with professor Alexander Znachonak; from 2012, he studied with Professor Jed Barahal at ESMAE in Porto and took the master's course in cello at the Music School of Donostia/San Sebastian, in the Basque Country. During those years, he lived, worked, and studied between Portugal, Mozambique, and Spain, participated in various music festivals in Mozambique and Portugal, and performed as a street artist.
He lives in Berlin since 2016, where he plays in a variety of groups, ensembles, orchestras, and theater productions. In 2020, he started to look for a non-classical and more contemporary way of playing the cello, more dedicated to improvisation and cello jazz with great musicians such as Stephan Braun, Susanne Paul, Christian Howes, and Baiju Bhatt, among others.
Currently, he continues playing in the “Archestra” ensemble, the project “Live Music Sundays”, and in his Afro-Brazilian jazz string trio “Muacy Trio”. He also gives cello lessons as a private teacher and group lessons at the BCA.
Three reasons why Eurico might be the right teacher for you:
- You're interested in jazz improvisation and chords
- You want a teacher with a classical background and a strong improv career
- You want a teacher who will introduce you to new styles on the cello
Ana Luísa Pereira
BCA Collective Member [ Teaches in 🇬🇧 🇵🇹 🇩🇪 ]
Cellist Ana Luísa Pereira works across a broad repertoire, from early Baroque to contemporary music, performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player throughout Europe. Alongside her classical work, she explores projects shaped by a strong interest in arrangement and sound, drawing on influences from pop, rock, stage, folk, and cinematic music. She also shares her experience through teaching, working with students of different ages and levels in both individual and ensemble settings.
Three reasons why Ana might be the right teacher for you:
- You already play the cello and want to further develop your sound and expression
- You need clear strategies and guidance to apply to your practice
- You want to explore creative musical thinking in different styles.
Lydia Paulos
BCA Collective Member [ Teaches in 🇬🇧 ]
Lydia Paulos is a Berlin-based cellist who performs across a wide spectrum of genres, from folk and indie to punk and experimental film scoring. She has recorded and toured with indie artists from around the world. Immersed in the Berlin singer-songwriter scene, she has several recent projects, including the band Alice Hills and the Velvet Shadows, and regular recording sessions at The Famous Gold Watch. Lydia's broad musical range has led her to perform with DJ KYGO, punk band Pom Pom Squad, pop singer Tiger Darrow, and she can be heard on the soundtrack for the Netflix horror film Cam (2018).
Lydia has also extensive experience playing for theater productions and cabarets, both in New York City and here in Berlin. Known for her adaptability and rich sound, Lydia frequently collaborates with composers on new shows and contributes to theater-related recordings. Classically trained, Lydia is the current principal cellist of the Neues Kammerorchester Berlin. She performed as a duo with pianist Luka Marinkovic for Holland America cruise line concerts, and has an ongoing folk/classical duo with violinist Emma Allingham.
Lydia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from New York University, where she studied under Patrick Jee, associate principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic.
Three reasons why Lydia might be the teacher for you:
- You want to have fun while learning a new skill
- You’re interested in playing non-classical music & improvisation
- You need a flexible schedule & a low-pressure environment