Hello folks! Nice to meet you! I am a classically trained cellist currently based in Boston, MA, with a Bachelor of Music in Professional Performance from Berklee College of Music. I have 10+ years of performance experience; my portfolio contains everything from standard symphonic works, cello concertos, and choral collaborations to musical pit orchestrations, improvised singer-songwriter accompaniments, instrumental folk duets, and new unaccompanied works. As my career continues, I hope to focus my capabilities on the folk and jazz vernaculars while continuing to interpret major works from the classical and contemporary cello repertoires.
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Write a reviewPrice range: $250 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 150 minutes
Unions: AFM
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Celia Mae Sieckert is a classically trained cellist with a Bachelor of Music in Professional Performance from Berklee College of Music. She has performed as an orchestra member, chamber musician, and soloist in a variety of genres and contexts, ranging from standard symphonic works, cello concertos, and choral collaborations to musical pit orchestrations, improvised singer-songwriter accompaniments, instrumental folk duets, and new unaccompanied works. Just after turning eighteen, Celia made her solo debut at The Minnesota Orchestra’s Orchestra Hall as a cellist alongside Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs. She has also been a member of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies on their concert tour of Southern Italy (June 2022), an artist-in-residence at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (June 2024), and a scholarship student at Live Oak Fiddle Camp (May 2026). Now based in Boston, Massachusetts, Celia hopes to focus her capabilities on the folk and jazz vernaculars while continuing to interpret major works from the classical and contemporary cello repertoires.
Because I am a solo acoustic musician, I require no amplification or professional sound gear.
All I ask is that I have...
1. ample spacing around the area I will be playing in. Being run into or spilled on is the worst!
2. ample light to read by, just in case I bring sheet music along. This isn't usually a problem though, seeing as I usually memorize my programs in their entirety.
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Gloucester, MA
Here's a sample setlist for 60-75 minutes of playing:
J. S. Bach
Solo Cello Suite No. 1
Prelude
Allemande
Sarabande
Menuets I-II
Gigue
Solo Cello Suite No. 3
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourrées I-II
Gigue
Minuet No. 2
Minuet No. 3
Maria Theresa von Paradis, "Sicilliene"
W. A. Mozart, "May Time"
G. F. Handel, Bourrée
F. J. Gossec, Gavotte
C. M. von Weber, "Hunters’ Chorus"
*NOTE: I usually play a classical program like this one with a smattering of self-arranged folk, Celtic, jazz, and pop songs for solo cello. How many of these other genres I insert depends on the event itself (weddings having more romantic or cheerful pieces, funerals having more somber ones, etc.).
My playing is heavily influenced by these cellists:
1. Jacqueline du Pré
2. Yo-Yo Ma
3. Sheku Kanneh-Mason
4. Natalie Haas
5. Alisa Weilerstein
Some of these cellists -- notably Jacqueline du Pré and Alisa Weilerstein -- are more classically focused and were fundamental to my growth as a young musician. Others -- notably Yo-Yo Ma, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and Natalie Haas -- inspire me to play outside of the box and explore everything the cello is capable of.
I am also incredibly motivated by these potentially more mainstream artists:
1. Joni Mitchell
2. Alanis Morissette
3. Brandi Carlile
4. Billy Joel
5. Van Morrison
I grew up listening to a lot of older artists like Billy Joel and Van Morrison. Their ability to tell a story is unparalleled, and being exposed to them at such a young age set my standards as a collaborator like nothing else. Similarly, the music of Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, and Alanis Morissette has always inspired me to play anything like they sing their songs: passionately and sincerely.
armless chair
Cellist
