🎻 Unlock the Soul of Celtic Music on Your Cello

Learn 10 beautiful traditional tunes, master soulful techniques, and bring the spirit of Celtic music to life—no matter your starting point.

Start Your Celtic Journey Now

Love the Way You Sound

Discover a fresh and inspiring way to play the cello. Through lively jigs, soulful airs, and rich Celtic rhythms, my new course, Celtic Cello Foundations, will bring new energy, creativity, and confidence to your music—so you can finally love the way you sound.

Bring authentic Celtic music to life when you discover new tools, techniques, and confidence when playing your cello. Even if you've been feeling stuck, or have struggled with rhythm or ornamentation before—this course will guide you, step by step, to unlock your true potential. Your journey starts here.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An amazing course for beginner cellists or cellists who are new to the Celtic style of music. The tune selections make learning the techniques fun and enjoyable, while the videos take you step-by-step through everything you need to know.”

— Daniel G., Topeka, Kansas

What's Included...

  • Step-by-Step Video Lessons – Learn at your own pace, so you can build confidence without overwhelm.

  • 10 Traditional Celtic Tunes – A mix of jigs, reels, slow airs, and a hornpipe so you can play music that feels expressive and deeply connected to tradition.

  • Sheet Music & MP3 Play-Along Tracks – Practice with guidance so you can hear yourself improving and feel supported every step of the way.

  • Scales & Modes for Celtic Music – Gain an intuitive understanding of the Celtic sound, so you can play with confidence and fluency.

  • Bowing & Groove Exercises – Learn the subtle techniques that give Celtic music its drive and lift, so you can play with a natural, effortless feel.

  • Ornamentation Techniques – Add cuts, rolls, and slides to your playing so you can sound like a true Celtic musician, not just someone reading notes.

  • Call & Response Improvisation – Develop musical freedom, so you can play by ear, join sessions, and trust your instincts.

  • Self-Paced Learning – Progress at your own speed, knowing that each time you return to a lesson, you’ll discover new layers.

  • Community Support – Connect with fellow learners so you never feel stuck or alone in your journey.

  • Tips on warm-ups and a bit of Celtic music history, so you feel more connected to the tradition and its storytelling roots.

Learn at Your Own Pace—With Joy

Self-paced, structured lessons mean no pressure, no stress—just steady growth and beautiful music.

⏳ Learn with Ease

Your Celtic Cello Teacher

Founder

Clíodhna Ní Aodáin

Clíodhna Ní Aodáin is an award-winning Irish cellist, composer, teacher, conductor and artist. She studied cello with Olwen Lewis and Aisling Drury-Byrne at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin, Michael Brüssing in Vienna, Emma Ferrand at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (BMusRNCM), Yuli Turovsky at the Université de Montréal (MMus Interprétation) and Susanne Basler at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (Konzertdiplom).

She has worked extensively with David Darling and is currently studying creative cello and composition with Eugene Friesen, professor at Berklee College of Music, Boston. Clíodhna also studied conducting with Atso Almilla, professor at the Sibelius Academy in Finland.

Originally from Dublin, Clíodhna now lives and works in Bern, Switzerland, where she teaches cello and conducts a children’s orchestra at the Musikschule Konservatorium Bern. Clíodhna also conducts the Orchester Divertimento Bern.

In 2018 Clíodhna founded The Celtic Cello as a project of the heart. Her Irish music mentor is the legendary Irish fiddler, Martin Hayes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This class is awesome! This course should be an absolute prerequisite for anyone thinking about playing Celtic music. Not only that but it’s a great review for those who are already playing or dabbling in Celtic music. Bowing, form, understanding scales applied to Celtic music, special bow techniques—first-class teaching from Clíodhna Ní Aodáin. I’ll be watching again and again. 5 stars for sure!”

~ Penni B., Boulder Creek, CA

How The Course Works...

  • Learn in Small Steps, Make Big Progress

    Master 10 beautiful Celtic tunes through bite-sized 2–3 minute video lessons. Whether you have five minutes or fifty, you can fit in a lesson and feel a sense of progress every time you pick up your cello. Lessons are delivered as pre-recorded video tutorials that you can watch anytime, at your own pace. You’ll also receive downloadable sheet music and play-along tracks to support your learning, keeping everything in one place.

  • A Seamless Learning Experience

    The course platform makes it easy to dive into your lessons with a simple, intuitive layout. Everything is organized into clear sections, so you can move through the course effortlessly. Pick up right where you left off, track your progress, and find exactly what you need—no tech stress, just music.

  • Supportive Community of Celtic Cellists

    You're not learning alone! Connect with fellow Celtic cello enthusiasts in a welcoming, encouraging space. Share your progress, ask questions, and get inspired by others on the same journey. Whether you're celebrating a breakthrough or need a little motivation, this community is here for you.

You're Not Alone on This Journey

Join a warm, welcoming group of fellow cello players exploring the Celtic tradition together—with guidance every step of the way.

💬 Join the Community

Let's think about this time next year...

You’ve completed Celtic Cello Foundations, and everything about your playing feels different—easier, more natural, more you.

Tunes that once felt challenging now flow effortlessly from your fingertips. Your bowing feels smooth and expressive, bringing each melody to life. You’ve unlocked the rhythms, ornamentation, and phrasing that make Celtic music so deeply captivating.

Even better? You feel confident sharing your music. Whether playing for yourself, your friends, or an audience, you no longer second-guess your abilities. You know your sound. You own your style.

You’re no longer stuck or overwhelmed—you’re inspired, creating music that speaks straight from the heart.

This is just the beginning of your Celtic cello journey. And it starts here.


What You'll Gain in Celtic Cello Foundations...

🎻 Master the Heart of Celtic Music – Learn the rhythms, bowing techniques, and ornamentation that bring jigs, reels, and slow airs to life—so you sound authentically Celtic.

🎻 Build Confidence in Your Playing – No more hesitation or second-guessing. With clear guidance and structured lessons, you’ll know you’re improving—and actually enjoy the process.

🎻 Make Playing Effortless & Expressive – Say goodbye to stiff, robotic playing. You’ll develop fluidity, ease, and expression, so your cello truly sings.

🎻 Learn Tunes You’ll Love – Forget dry, uninspiring exercises. You’ll be playing beautiful Celtic melodies from day one, giving you music that excites and inspires you.

🎻 A Clear, Step-by-Step Path – No more wondering what to practice. This course walks you through exactly what to focus on, so you make real progress without the overwhelm.

🎻 Enjoy Playing Again – Whether you're coming from classical training or feeling stuck in a rut, this course will reignite your love for the cello and open up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Skye Boat Song. I love this song, and the tip about bouncing the finger on the sixteenth notes makes it sound much cleaner than what I was doing before. Thank you!”

~ Linda Harrison, Florida

How The Celtic Cello Began...

A literal bang on the head woke me up to the fact that I had been ignoring my heart’s guidance.

Growing up in Ireland, classical and traditional music lived in separate worlds. My grandfather was a traditional fiddler, and I was immersed in the Irish language at school. But my parents instilled in me a love for classical music. I adored Irish music but was drawn to the cello. When I chose it as my instrument, I unknowingly stepped away from the traditional world.

Fast forward to December 2017—an attic ladder fell on my head, leaving me with a severe concussion. I feared I’d never play again. Worse, my young son might never know me as a cellist. I had no videos, no recordings—nothing to show for a lifetime of music.

As I recovered, I realized that my dream was not to record the big classical concertos—I wanted to capture the Irish music that I had been missing for my whole life. So, I made a promise: if I healed, I’d record an album. One year later, The Celtic Cello was born.

That was just the beginning. The Celtic Cello became my passion—rediscovering and adapting hidden Celtic gems for the cello is a huge source of joy. And now I share this joy with a worldwide community of cellists who want to explore this magical tradition.

Start Your Journey Now!

Ready to fall in love with your cello all over again?

Let Celtic music reawaken your joy, creativity, and connection to your instrument—with music that truly speaks to the heart.

🎻 Join Us Now

🎻 Is Celtic Cello Foundations for You?

This is for you if...

  • ✅ You’re ready to breathe new life into your cello playing by exploring the rich traditions of Celtic music.
  • ✅ You’ve been playing for at least 1–3 years and want to step beyond sheet music into a more expressive style.
  • ✅ You want to build confidence, embrace ornamentation and rhythm, and feel at home with Celtic cello.
  • ✅ You appreciate a clear path but also value freedom, creativity, and personal expression.
  • ✅ You’d love to be part of a supportive, like-minded community of Celtic cellists.

This might not be for you if...

  • ❌ You’re brand new to the cello and still working on basic technique.
  • ❌ You’re looking for a classical cello course with traditional repertoire.
  • ❌ You prefer strict, classical-style instruction with no room for creativity.
  • ❌ You’re not interested in exploring Celtic music or its unique style.
  • ❌ You’re looking for a quick fix rather than a skills-building journey.
  • ❌ You’re not comfortable with self-paced, flexible learning.

Step Into the Celtic Story

Clear steps, beautiful music, and inspiring support—everything you need to explore Celtic cello is waiting for you.

🎻 Start Your Journey

Join me!

✅ Step-by-Step Video Lessons

✅ 10 Traditional Celtic Tunes

✅ Sheet Music & MP3 Play-Along Tracks

✅ Scales & Modes for Celtic Music

✅ Bowing & Groove Exercises

✅ Ornamentation Techniques

✅ Call & Response Improvisation

✅ Self-Paced Learning

✅ Community Support

✅ $197

Awaken your Celtic Sound

FAQ

  • How are the lessons delivered?

    Lessons are pre-recorded video tutorials, so you can watch and learn at your own pace. You’ll also get sheet music, MP3 play-along tracks, and guided exercises to support your learning

  • Do I need to read sheet music

    No! Celtic music is traditionally learned by ear, and I’ll help you develop that skill—but sheet music and recordings are included for reference.

  • How long will it take to complete the course?

    It’s completely self-paced! Some students complete it in a few months, while others take their time over a year. You’ll have lifetime access to revisit lessons anytime.

  • How much should I practice?

    Even 10–15 minutes a day will bring progress, but 15-30 minutes will give you the best results. The key is consistent, enjoyable practice—no pressure, just music!

  • What are rhythm and groove?

    You’ll learn to feel the pulse of Celtic music and develop a basic groove using bass notes, rests, and bowing techniques. We’ll focus on 4/4 and 6/8 rhythms, essential for jigs and reels.

  • Do I need any special equipment?

    Just the basics: 🎻 A cello and bow (any standard setup works!) 📱 A tuner and metronome (or a free app) 🎵 Speakers or headphones (to play along with backing tracks)

  • What if I have questions during the course?

    You’ll have access to a student forum where you can ask questions, share progress, and connect with other learners.

  • What if I want to continue learning after this course?

    Once you complete Celtic Cello Foundations, you can progress to The Celtic Cello Club, where you'll explore new tunes, ornamentation, and improvisation techniques in a worldwide supportive community!

  • Can I download the videos?

    The videos are streamed online, but all sheet music and play-along tracks can be downloaded for offline use.