Abigail McHugh began her Suzuki training at age 2, as her mother's reluctant violin student. A few years later, Abigail (longing for an instrument that could be played while sitting down) abandoned the violin in favor of the piano. At age 6, (driven by envy of a friend's new cello) Abigail finally settled on the instrument that continues to alternately delight and aggravate her to this day.
After attending Interlochen Arts Academy for her last two years of high school, Abigail went on to earn both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in cello performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music, where she had the good fortune to study with Richard Aaron. Also during this time, she completed several book levels of Suzuki training (with teacher trainers Tanya Carey, Barbara Wampner, Nancy Hair, Carey Cheney, and Nancy Yamagata) and began teaching for The Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory Department.
Upon leaving Cleveland, Abigail spent a year living in Germany as the recipient of a Fulbright Award, followed by two years in Spain, where she taught both English and cello. Her idea for this website, inspired by the myriad resources for ESL teachers available on the Internet, evolved during that time
Abigail currently studies with Elizabeth Simkin and teaches for Ithaca Talent Education, in Ithaca, NY. She will begin her doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music in the fall of 2008, where she looks forward to learning more about Early Childhood Music Education and playing the cello.
