Parramatta Cello School - Marleen Broekmans

02/06/2026

✨ Trivia Tuesday ✨

Name that pop tune! 🎶

31/05/2026

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Meet Phoebe! She is currently in Year 11, and has been using her cello playing skills as part of her Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver awards!

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1.) So why the cello?
“Because I think cello sounds really nice and mellow, and it’s niche - but not too niche.”

2.) How long have you been playing for?
“About two and a half years now.”

3.) What have you been working on?
“I am recording my first cello exam. Last year I toured to New Zealand with my school orchestra and it was a great experience to meet other music students and do masterclasses with professionals.”

4.) When Phoebe isn’t playing cello, she is…
“Playing volleyball or doing arts and crafts.”

5.) Do you have a favourite piece of music?
“Hydrangea” by Yukiko Nishimura
https://youtu.be/axlYUkxpMtc?si=WrGqXYYhhK8nm1hI

Thank you Phoebe! 🥰

25/05/2026

24/05/2026

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Introducing, Jessica!

Jessica started cello as an adult beginner - proving it is never too late to follow your passions in life!

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1.) What made you decide to play cello, and how long have you been playing for?
“A cello playing werewolf on the Grimm television series - one of the main characters was a werewolf who played cello. It sounded really dark and moody. I’ve been playing cello on and off for over a decade - between two pregnancies!”

2.) Do you have a favourite piece of music?
“I’m really enjoying Latin Nights by the Blackwells at the moment. I also like the Cantilena I’m learning by Ku**er. I prefer the slow pieces.”

3.) What’s the most challenging thing about learning cello as an adult?
“Finding time to practice. I have to entertain the kids first - they often draw in my cello notebooks.”

4.) What are you working towards at the moment?
“Recording my Grade 3 Cello exam with Con Brio.”

5.) And what does Jess do outside of cello?
“I work, and I mum. And I do like reading Cassandra Clare books.”

Thanks for the chat, Jessica! 🥰🎻

22/05/2026

FUN fact Friday! 💡

Did you know..

That many pop music songs actually include the cello?

Some famous examples include “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles, “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, and “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin!

🎻🎻🎻

19/05/2026

Trivia Tuesday - Guess The Cello Piece? 🎻

Put your answer down in the comments!

17/05/2026

✨ STUDENT OF THE WEEK ✨

Introducing, Nick!

Nick is currently in Year 7, and is in the process of recording his first ever cello exam with Con Brio!

1.) What made you decide to play cello?
“I just wanted to try a new instrument and thought strings would be good, and then realised I like sitting down more.”

2.) Do you have a favourite song you are playing at the moment?
“I am the Captain of a Pirate’s Ship” by Anita Hewitt-Jones

3.) What other instruments do you play?
“I play trombone in the jazz ensemble at school.”

4.) Where is your favourite place to practice?
“I like to practice in the living room because I’m often in there by myself, so it’s nice and quiet and I can just focus on the cello.”

5.) Lastly, which emoji best describes your practising lately?
“🫪”

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😅🤣 Thank you for the chat, Nick! 🫶🏻

14/05/2026

FUN fact Friday! 💡

Did you know..

That King Charles III once played cello?

He learned to play the cello while attending boarding school at Gordonstoun in Scotland, where he studied under tutor Robert Waddell. King Charles then continued to play throughout his university years at Cambridge, participating in the Trinity College orchestra.

🎻🎻🎻

Other celebrities who have also dabbled in cello include Ed Sheeran, Hugh Jackman, and Sir Paul McCartney!

14/05/2026

“Mary’s Boy Child” workshopped and performed at our Christmas Cello ensemble last December, arranged by Marleen Broekmans 🥰🎻

14/05/2026

Have decided to start posting things again, and what better way than with a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers in the studio? 🥰 🌻