Elizabeth
Skola Davis
Elizabeth
Skola Davis
[email protected]

Playing, projects & lessons

Cello

I've played the cello since I was thirteen, professionally since age 18, starting in the Evansville Philharmonic and then Baton Rouge Symphony. These days I'm principal cellist of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra.

A cellist's hand on the bow
Photo: ArtCafe Studios

At the instrument

Playing

A few recordings I picked, from Bach to a song from a 1985 Soviet TV series that I arranged for cello and recorded one part at a time.

More of my playing on YouTube
SoundCloudWondrous Future

Krylatov, Wondrous Future (my arrangement, with every part played by me)

Listen on SoundCloud

Early music

Viola da gamba

Before the cello there was the viola da gamba. On 2 October I'm giving a one-hour lecture and demonstration, starting with how it compares to the modern cello, then music from the 14th to the 17th centuries, and ending with pieces played around the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1700s.

Register
Oct22026

Friday · 12:30 PM

Cello and Viola da Gamba: Lecture & Demo

Benjamin Gaither Center, Founders Room, 80A Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD

Open to the public for $5, free for Benjamin Gaither Center members.

Cellists recording from home

Global Cello
SIDE Projects

Tony Rogers' Global Cello Project started during lockdown, bringing cellists together online to record as one big cello choir. In between his projects I've run smaller ones of my own. For each one I put out the parts and click tracks and recorded tutorials, and cellists recorded themselves at home. Eight are finished, from Holst's Jupiter to the Mission: Impossible theme.

Watch the whole series
Global Cello SIDE Project #3

Halloween 2021

This video is on another YouTube channel.

Watch on YouTube
Global Cello SIDE Project #4

Jupiter (from Holst's The Planets)

Watch on YouTube
Global Cello SIDE Project #7

Peter Gunn and The Pink Panther

Watch on YouTube

Tutorials

Three of the tutorials from my YouTube channel. There are many more in the full playlist.

All tutorials

Ringing tones with bow and pizzicato (Essential Elements Book 1, No. 44, Matthew's March)

Watch on YouTube

Performances

Trinity
Chamber Orchestra

I'm principal cellist and composer in residence. Here's where you can hear us this season.

Tickets and details
Trinity Chamber Orchestra performing at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC
Oct102026

Saturday · 3 PM

Americana

Kensington Baptist Church, 10100 Connecticut Ave, Kensington, MD

Nov152026

Sunday · 3 PM

Beethoven and More

Kensington Baptist Church, 10100 Connecticut Ave, Kensington, MD

Includes my arrangement of Skoryk's Spanish Dance for string orchestra, with Tetyana Royzman as violin soloist.

Mar72027

Sunday · 5 PM

Classical Dimensions

Church of the Annunciation, 3810 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC

Apr182027

Sunday · 3 PM

Mozart and Friends

Kensington Baptist Church, 10100 Connecticut Ave, Kensington, MD

Jun132027

Sunday · 4 PM

Grand Finale: Music of Many Lands

Stone Ridge School Theater, 9101 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD

Learning the cello

Lessons

I teach cello at Kentlands School of Music and at Victor Litz Music Center. Both are in Gaithersburg. Beginners and advanced students are welcome. To book lessons, contact either school.

Kentlands School of MusicVictor Litz Music Center