1st Seed International Cello Festival

Martha Kiefer, Guest Clinician‍

received her Suzuki Cello certificates from the Chicago Institute, Hart College and Pittsburgh Institute. She completed her training through Book Ten. She holds a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory in Boston, USA. Previously she taught at the University of Rhode Island and Longy School of Music in Massachusetts. She was awarded Outstanding Teacher from the Belmont, Massachusetts Public Schools. She has given Suzuki workshops for the New England, Kansas, and New Mexico Institutes.

As a cellist, she has performed with the Boston Ballet, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Boston Lyric Opera, Hartford Symphony, and as principal cellist with the Viterbo Opera Festival in Italy. She has been a member of Young Audiences of Massachusetts where she has presented over 500 concerts for youth. She founded and manages Copley Chamber Players. She has given concerts at Harvard University, Wang Center, and on National Public Radio.

Ms. Kiefer has participated in many summer music festivals, including two fellowships to the Tanglewood Institute. She played principal cello under Leonard Bernstein and played with the Boston Symphony under Seiji Ozawa. She was awarded a full scholarship to the Yale University Norfolk Festival, where she studied with the Tokyo String Quartet.

Dr. Miguel Zaparolli, Head Teacher

Dr. Miguel Zaparolli has performed throughout the world and has appeared in several renowned festivals and venues. He is passionate about promoting music to all generations of listeners, as well as bringing it to less-reached communities across the globe. A dedicated pedagogue, Miguel held teaching positions in Europe, North America, and South America.

Dr. Zaparolli holds a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a master's degree from The International Center for Music at Park University, and a bachelor's degree from the Escola Superior de Artes Aplicadas de Castelo Branco.