The NSU Cello Studio offers opportunities for development as a performer, artist, and educator. Students participate in lessons, studio class and ensembles. Opportunities for paying professional services are also available in area ensembles for qualified students.

NSU will give you the education, experience and support you need to grow to your full potential.

How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to study at the NSU Cello studio or would like further information, please contact Paul Christopher, Associate Professor of Cello at: christopherp@nsula.edu, or call: 318 357 3802

Undergraduate Degrees
Music Performance
Music Education
Music Business
Sacred Music
Minors in Music

Graduate Degrees
Masters in Music Performance
Masters in Music Education

Ensembles
Northwestern – Natchitoches Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music

Audition Requirements
Undergraduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles. This can include pieces or studies.
• Some 2 octave major and minor scales

Please contact the Cello Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Graduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
• Major and minor scales and arpeggios

Please contact the Cello Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Paul Christopher is Associate Professor of Low Strings and Music Theory at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Memphis.

In the summers he served as Assistant Principal Cello with the Peter Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. Mr. Christopher has performed guest artist recitals in Arkansas, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panamá, and South Korea. He has presented and performed at conferences in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Mr. Christopher’s articles have been published in the Jacques Offenbach Society Newsletter, Strings, American String Teacher, and Bass World. He has appeared on numerous recordings as a member of the Nashville String Machine with artists such as Faith Hill, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Springsteen, and George Strait. He has also recorded works by contemporary composers including Dinos Constaninides, Don Freund, Niloufar Iravani, Mark Prince Lee, Jeanne Artemis, Jose Gabriel Velazquez, Christian Wolff, as well as seven CDs for the Human Metronome label devoted to the cello music of Jacques Offenbach.

https://www.youtube.com/@paulchristopher2135

“I have been fortunate to have had a career as an orchestral and chamber music performer, studio musician, public school, and university educator. I hope to pass along some of my love of music as well as some of the hard-earned lessons I have learned as a professional. It is important to me to serve as not only a teacher to my students, but more importantly as a mentor and professional role model”.
– Paul Christopher

Paul Christopher, NCTM
Associate Professor of Music Theory and Low Strings
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Office: (318) 357-5802
E-mail: christopherp@nsula.edu

The Life of a NSU Cellist
Weekly one to one cello lesson
Participation in large ensembles
Weekly Studio Class
Weekly Technique Class
Opportunities to perform in Guest Artist masterclasses and workshops

Tuition Costs
NSU provides ALL students participating in a large ensemble, IN-STATE tuition costs irrelevant of where you are from. Tuition costs are NSU are usually significantly cheaper than almost all other universities. Spring 2024 Tuition costs (before scholarship) can be found at HERE.

Please contact the Cello Professor if you would like further information.

Scholarships
ALL cello students participating in large NSU ensembles (marching bands, concert bands and orchestras) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Cello Professor for further information.

Graduate Assistantships
Each year, NSU offers graduate students the opportunity to apply for an Assistantship. This entitles that student to a $12,000 annual stipend in return for 20 hours of work each week. Please contact the Cello Professor for further information.

If you would like more information, to set up an audition or to have a chat about your future at NSU, please contact Paul Christopher at: christopherp@nsula.edu

Or even better, come join us on campus and see for yourself why this cello studio is a great place to be! Contact Mr. Christopher to arrange. You and your family are most welcome!