Hello Cello

You can expect anything and everything from polished classical music, to rustic folk tunes, to rock grooves, to laid-back jazz, to my own original songs. For weddings, funerals, and background music, the Bach Cello suites are my specialty. As well as other famous cello pieces like "The Swan." I accept niche requests a few days in advance, and melodies/tunes I know I can usually play upon request in real time. If the space is large or if there is a lot of noise, I do have an amplifier.

Jackie Todd grew up in a musical household in Basalt, Colorado, developing keen musical instincts at an early age. She began playing the cello in her middle school orchestra at the age of 11 after seeing a performance of the William Tell Overture. In high school, she moved to Boston for boarding school where she played chamber music, dance pieces, pop, and jazz arrangements, while studying classical cello at NEC Prep with Emmanuel Feldman.

From there she was admitted to Oberlin College and Conservatory, where she studied with Darrett Adkins for 4 years. Under the batons of Raphael Jimenez, Tim Weiss, and James Feddeck, she has performed orchestral music ranging from Mozart to cutting-edge contemporary music. In April 2024, she led the Oberlin Orchestra cello section in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9.

Through her classical studies, she maintained a fervent interest in world music, folk, and jazz, collaborating with jazz students on degree recitals, taking classes in drumming and contemporary improvisation and eventually founding her own folk band, Wood Engine. Coached by Edwin Huizinga, Wood Engine consists of four Oberlin Conservatory string players with a deep commitment to cross-genre collaboration, learning by ear, and fun. Under the instruction of professors Jamey Haddad and Jay Ashby, her band has branched into jazz and world music, learning from visiting artists Luis Perdomo, Petros Klampanis, Eva Scow, Bob Lanzetti, and Zach Brock. In May, Jackie will perform with Moira Smiley at the Mountain Stage Live on NPR with Edwin and members of Wood Engine.

This diversity of musical experiences has afforded her versatility on her instrument, a Jackie of all trades. In May 2025 she graduated from Oberlin with two degrees: a BA in Environmental studies, and a BM in Cello Performance. Her commitment to the environment permeates her music making, and she views the two as deeply connected. She enjoys jamming in informal settings as much as she enjoys the big stage.

1 chair - not too short, please.
1 outlet to plug in my amp.
1 music stand (if not available, I can bring my own)