Dr Sera Smolen

Opus Ithaca school of Music 

402 N. Aurora/ Corner of Court and Aurora 

Cello Program- 2025-2026 Dr. Sera Smolen 

607-216-7514/serasmolen@gmail.com

Cello program includes 17 group class sessions, annual Practice Marathon, “Fantasia”

composers project, annual Community Service concert, Winter workshop with composers master class and solo master class with special guests. 

We have a professional pianist to rehearse and play with us for End of Semester

solo Recitals, Composers Concert, and Mother’s Day concert. We’ll have a BAND and

callers joining us for “Dances from Around the World”! It is another special year !

SEPTEMBER 1 PRACTICE MARATHON OF THE HOUSES BEGINS

*September 1-4 : Private Lessons

*September 7-11: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*September 14-18: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*September 21-25 : Private Lessons

*September 28- October 2: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*October 5-9: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30nBook 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*October 12-16 : Private Lessons

*October 19-23: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/3:30 Book 1 Group ClassTuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*October 26-30 : Private Lessons

*November 2-6: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*November 9-13 : Private Lessons

*November 16-20: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY- no lessons/no classes

*November 30-December 4: Private Lessons

Sunday Dress Rehearsal for Recital-we will find some additional times

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*December 7-11: Private Lessons

END OF PRACTICE MARATHON SOLO RECITAL

Sunday December 7, 3pm

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 class

*December 14-18: Private Lessons

COMMUNITY SERVICE CONCERT LOAVES AND FISHES (Tues)

DECEMBER 22- JANUARY 4: SEMESTER AND HOLIDAY BREAK

“Fantasia” Composers Project Phase 1 Begins

*January 5-8 : Private Lessons

*January 11-15: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*January 18-22: Private LessonsSunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

“Fantasia” Composers Project Phase 2 Begins

*January 25-29 : Private Lessons

*February 1-5: Private Lessons

Sunday – 2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1 Group Class

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*February 8-12 : Private Lessons

FEBRUARY 15-20 WINTER BREAK: WRITE YOUR ROUGH DRAFT

“Fantasia” Composers Project Phase 3 Begins

*February 22-26: Private Lessons

Sunday Dress Rehearsal for Solo Recital

2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*March 1-5: Private Lessons

“Fantasia” Composers Project Phase 4 Begins

COMPOSERS MASTER CLASS with Jake Gunnar Walsh

2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 – Group Class

*March 8-12: Private Lessons

MASTER CLASS with Guest artist Annie Barley

2:30 -4 Book 3-7/ 4-5 Book 1

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 – Group Class

MARCH 13 FANTASIA COMPOSERS CONCERT 7PM

*March 15-19 : Private Lessons

*March 18-April 19 No Private LessonsDr. Sera Concert Tour in Europe

*Sunday April 12 2:30-3:30 Opus Ithaca Cello Choir

Led by Hannah Soren

*Sunday April 19 2:30-3:30 Opus Ithaca Cello Choir

Led by Hannah Soren

*April 20-23: Private Lessons

*April 26-30: Private Lessons

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 – Group Class

*May 3-7: Private Lessons

Sunday Dress Rehearsal for Mother’s Day Recital

2:30 Book 3-7/ 3:30 Book 1

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*May 10-14: Private Lessons

MOTHER’S DAY SOLO RECITAL 3pm

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 Group Class

*May 17-21: Private Lessons

*May 24-28: Private Lessons

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 – Group Class

*June 1-4: Private Lessons

Tuesday 4:45 Book 2-3 – Group Class

*JUNE 8 DANCES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

On a lesson day, if you or your musician are ill, if the roads are terrible, or your car is not working, you are always welcome to take a lesson on Zoom. You can find the link on the google calendar each week of the year. 

If you have a conflict on a lesson day, try first to trade lessons with another family. 
As a last resort, someDmes it could be possible for a make-up lesson on a group class Sunday.

******* 

Thank you for your interest in learning the cello-- 

the gorgeous, many-faceted instrument that can say anything!

Use the Website! 
www.serasmolen.com 
it has our teaching calendar, audio files, articles and more... 

I am happy to think carefully with you any time 

about the musician in your family 
as we cultivate greater artistry, 
and powers of independence each year. just make a phone appointment with me. 

***** 

Occasionally there is an unexpected need to reschedule a lesson. Sometimes I can, 
sometimes I can’t reschedule your lesson 
according to Opus policies, 

but I do whatever I can. 
Trading lesson times with another family can work well.