Expertise • Enthusiasm • Excellence
"My children always compare their music teachers to Casey! Thus far no teacher can meet the individualized attention, passion, and excitement Casey provided. When one has that much love and regard for art and music as Casey does, it is clear we were one blessed family to receive the gift of her presence and teaching. It truly helped my children build a strong and loving foundation and high regard for music.
Without hesitation I actively and strongly can declare you have found a magical person; Casey is by far one of the best and most talented music teachers out there! She was truly made for this profession."
- Mother of three students age 5 - 10
Casey Murray
Cello, Suzuki Cello, Guitar, Fiddling, Creative Ability Development®
Casey graduated from Berklee School of Music with a cello performance major and American Roots minor. A passionate educator and multi-talented performer, Casey is founder/member of several active bands and a prolific recording artist. Her discography includes "Caribou Party", "Smart Folks", "Magic Fantasy Dream Dance", "The Waltz Album", and her most recent release "After the Sky Weeps", with WSM violin/viola faculty Molly Tucker.
Casey also is certified in Creative Ability Development®, and loves teaching even early beginners the art of improvisation.
Before moving to Massachusetts, Casey was on the faculty of the Kanack School of Musical Artistry in New York, where she taught private lessons and group classes in Suzuki cello, folk/fiddling, and improvisation. She also developed and ran summer camps in Creative Music and Arts, and Fiddling, which she has now brought to Wayland School of Music.
Meet Casey
- How/what age did you start your instrument?
I started playing Suzuki violin at age 3 but I fell in love with the cello and began playing cello at age 7. Then I started playing guitar when I was 12. I really wanted a blue one so that's what I got :) - Did you come from a musical family?
Not really -- my parents did Suzuki along with me while I learned and my dad plays beginner fiddle from time to time. My uncles played in a rock band though... - Best, funniest or worst musical memory from childhood?
I was playing in a Suzuki violin group class when I was about 6 and we were playing Perpetual Motion. I was getting really into it and next thing I know--my E string broke! First time I ever broke a string while playing. - A highlight or two from your performing career:
Two of the most exciting orchestra performances I've been in were when my youth orchestra played in Carnegie Hall. And when I played with the Berklee orchestra in the Boston Symphony Hall. We played the Lord of the Rings Symphony for Howard Shore himself! My favorite moments playing guitar happen when I play for contra dancing--seeing the floor bob up and down and hearing the dancers feet shuffle: magic. - What do you love about teaching?
Learning can be so exploratory and what I love about teaching is seeing students explore something new and discover their capabilities. And seeing my students be creative is so rewarding. - What would you like your students to know about you?
Learning an instrument can be difficult at times but we'll be working on it together. It's always okay to ask questions you don't know the answers to; we'll find the answers together. - Can you share a non-musical fun fact about you?
I love to knit. Scarfs, hats, potholders, and sweaters. I also LOVE dogs.