The Mellow Cello

Read the Additional Booking Notes section in full before requesting a quote! Those contain all of the important negotiation and logistical details that you will need to know if you are considering officially booking me. If you request a quote from me, then I will assume that you have read the Additional Booking Notes section in full.

Hailing from Muncie, Indiana, Philip M. Williamson started playing the cello when he was 9-years-old, and he has been playing professionally since the age of 13. He performs many genres and styles of music, such as classical music, jazz, rock, folk music, and more. Philip has gigged extensively in the greater Indianapolis area and has performed in a vast variety of events and venues, such as weddings, funerals and life celebrations, cocktail parties, churches, restaurants, social gatherings, and more. One of his favorite kinds of work to do is playing in Musical Theatre pit orchestras, and he has played in many of them, mostly at the Muncie Civic Theatre (MCT) in Muncie, Indiana, ever since he started gigging. Philip also enjoys premiering original compositions - both for solo cello and chamber music. He also does both in-person and virtual recording sessions.

Philip is a Cello Educator who is currently accepting new beginner-level and intermediate-level students of all ages for either in-person or virtual lessons, and he uses a musically-holistic, multi-genre teaching approach that instills a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental elements of, as well as the versatile nature of, music and music-making – ALL while focusing on high-quality of technique and the student’s evolving musical identity AND doing so in a way that is accessible, engaging, informative, and inspiring. On a year-round basis, Philip teaches in-person lessons in Bloomington, Indiana. During the summer, and at certain planned times of the year, he teaches in Muncie, Indiana. He also teaches virtual lessons to students who reside in a US state other than Indiana OR in another country. Philip is an educator who is actively AND mindfully conscious about physical ergonomics, an awareness that focuses on playing the cello as if it is a direct extension of the human body; adhering to principles of body mechanics optimally cultivates technical longevity, heightened physical efficiency, and, most importantly, comfort.

In addition to playing in Musical Theatre pit orchestras and running his business, which consists of freelance music work, cello education, and social media content creation, Philip is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music Degree in cello performance with a minor in Jazz Studies at the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as a member of the Class of 2025. When he is not performing, teaching, practicing, or studying, he enjoys being an actor on stage, traveling domestically and internationally, reading a good book, jam sessions, and driving aimlessly in the countryside.

The way I determine the total price for any given event is through a hybrid of both flat prices and an hourly rate. For example, I charge a flat rate of $200 for events that are 30 minutes long, and I charge a flat price of $300 for events that are 60 minutes. Additionally, the total price of the gig, event, or performance is directly proportional to the distance I must travel to get to and from it.

– 0 minutes to 30 minutes = No extra distance charge

– 30 minutes to 90 minutes = Extra $50 distance charge

– 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours = Extra $100 distance charge

– 2.5 hours to 3 hours = Extra $150 distance charge

– Please inquire or contact me directly to discuss any performance requests that are over 3 hours away from my current location.

No client – existing or prospective – will receive any quote(s) until some important logistics, such as music and pricing, have been fully discussed and mutually agreed upon AND until I know with complete certainty that I will be available for the gig, event, or performance. Before any negotiations begin, a pre-saved message that is essentially a copy of the Overview will be sent to all new leads to ensure that all prospective clients have a thorough understanding of my work and services.

If you choose to provide your phone number and/or email, then this can expedite the process. This can be done either over the phone or over text. Additionally, it is preferred that the client is also the host of the event.

A nonrefundable security deposit of $50 will be deducted for gigs, events, and performances that are 30 minutes long, and a nonrefundable security deposit of $75 will be deducted for gigs, events, and performances that are 1 hour long.

Designated breaks and/or intentional pauses, specifically if any breaks are allowed AND, if so, how many breaks there can be and how long each break can be, must be discussed/negotiated and mutually agreed upon prior to the gig, event, or performance.

Since I currently study at the Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana but The Mellow Cello is based in and most of the musicals that I play are in Muncie, Indiana, I frequently drive back and forth between the two cities; therefore, the location on my GigSalad profile will frequently change between Muncie, Indiana and Bloomington, Indiana. This will also be reflected in my Performance Calendar. For some locations, this will only be a 1-hour difference in driving time. For example, Muncie, Indiana is about 2.5 hours away from Columbus, Ohio, and Bloomington, Indiana is about 3.5 hours away from Indiana. For some locations, there is no difference in driving time. For example, both Muncie and Bloomington are about 1 hour away from Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, both Muncie and Bloomington are about 2 hours and 15 minutes away from Cincinnati, Ohio.