One of the services I also provide for my students is helping them find an instrument that suits their budget and their needs.

My student, Rebecca, was unable to make a few lessons due to unforeseen work and study commitments. So we had a chat about it and agreed to trade those lessons in for assistance with helping her purchase a new instrument.

She had been a little intimidated by the process of finding a new cello and I provided her with my expertise in seeking out a cello with whose voice and fit she loved.

We visited Heaney Violins in Mountain View where she traded in the one she had been renting from them and walked out with this little number: an Ivan Dunov with a CodaBow Diamond SX carbon fiber bow.

Here’s a little note she posted on Facebook (and reproduced here with permission):

I am pleased to announce a new addition to my family. Her name is Clara.

She is an Ivan Dunov from Romania (via Mountain View) and sounds best with a CodaBow Diamond SX carbon fiber bow.

I had quite a time finding a suitable case for her more Montagnana-esque dimensions, but eventually found the right one. I love the mint green!

As soon as I held her and heard her voice, I knew she was the one for me. She’s a wonderful fit in our menagerie of instruments and I feel we are going to be very happy together. 

Many thanks to Belinda for her patience and expertise in helping me find her.

Rebecca