Who's Who at the Center for Young Musicians: Rochelle Agnew

Who’s Who at the Center for Young Musicians:

Meet Ms. Rochelle Agnew

A new school year will mean fresh faces at the Center for Young Musicians! We are excited to announce that new teachers for piano, cello and guitar will be joining the CYM family, bringing unique experiences and solid training in music education. And as always, we happily look forward to greeting new students and their families.

To help everyone get to know each other a little better, we’ll be posting short bios on all the CYM teachers and staff.  Rochelle Agnew has been a Violin Teacher at CYM since the 2010-11 school year.

Rochelle Agnew began violin studies at age five in a local Suzuki program in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has studied extensively with Charles and Rachel Stegeman at Duquesne University, where she earned her graduate degrees in Violin Performance, as well as with Gerardo Ribeiro at the Meadowmount School of Music.

Additionally, she has performed in masterclasses for the Ying Quartet, the Lark Quartet, and Arnold Steinhardt. Currently, she performs as a member of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. She also regularly plays with the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

Rochelle has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Carrie Reuning-Hummell and Marylin O'Boyle. Rochelle joined the faculty of CYM in the fall of 2010. She resides in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

In addition to private violin instruction at CYM, Ms. Rochelle teaches Literacy and Group classes for the Classical and American Legends Programs, Early Childhood Music classes and Music Discovery Camp. She also welcomes new students to CYM as a member of the Admissions staff.

Q & A with CYM:

CYM: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be (and what would you eat)?

Ms. Rochelle: My grandma (mom's mom) and anything she would make! She was famous for her cooking, but I never got to experience that part of her.

CYM: What is your favorite childhood book?

Ms. Rochelle: Little House in the Big Woods

CYM: What is the most memorable music performance that you saw/heard?

Ms. Rochelle: Watching Itzhak Perlman perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra when I was in 8th grade - it has been my favorite piece ever since!

CYM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Ms. Rochelle: I'm a new runner! Running my first 5K on September 1st in the Run for Your Lives 5K Obstacle Course Zombie Race.

CYM: What has music given you?

Ms. Rochelle: Music has given me my voice. I was very shy growing up, but always felt that I could play a particular piece to help communicate what I was feeling.

CYM: What is your favorite treat to eat?

Ms. Rochelle: Pineapple!