Jes Burgess
Instruments taught: Cello, Violin
Styles taught: Suzuki, traditional/Franco Belgian,
technique-priority, classical, pop,
Phone: (650) 872-9558
Email: lessonswithjes@gmail.com
Location: Mountain View
Ages taught: 5+
Languages taught: English
Offers in-person & virtual lessons
Based in Sunnyvale, CA
Jes Burgess has dedicated teaching students since 2006, at first juggling an exciting performance career, but later a full-time mission to keep new and returning musicians excited to play cello. Beginning students start with good habits from day one, and the first priority is being comfortable with their new instrument, and building confidence through patience, good technique, and empowerment through playing .Jes also takes pride in helping students with prior experiences or former players who wish to return after so many years. She enjoys helping students break bad habits and find good practice routines. The most rewarding part of teaching for Jes Burgess is knowing her students take pride in their hard work and find their own appreciation in both music and cello studies.
Primarily a cellist, Jes teaches students the heritage of being a cellist, as its an exceptional club to be part of that impacts your life forever. Students learn proper care, how to establish excellent tone, and how to implement their own artistry though this beautiful medium.
Lessons are held at Jes' studio in Sunnyvale or online.
Performance Career
Jes’ performance and accomplishments on cello is often described by some as “so LA”, as it has been an eclectic mix of t experiences in both classical and contemporary music, all with her cello talents as the common door-opener to other opportunities in her music career.
More traditional ensembles included the Principal cellist of the Vietnamese American Philharmonic, Brentwood Symphony, Palisades Symphony, Casa Italiana Opera Company, the Japanese American Chamber Ensemble, and being on the sub list for Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and various sound stages for soundtrack music.
If asked what her most relevant or strongest pieces of her experience as a working musician it would easily be, session recording, and contemporary performance, often going hand-in hand.
Some venue performances in LA include, the Viper Room, House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Key Club, Avalon Hollywood, W hotel, Boardner’s Hollywood, and of course more orthodox institutions such as Walt Disney Concert Hall. Other Notable experiences include, playing at Iditarod (Nome, AK), having a featured performance in the San Gennaro Festival (Hollywood), various public access Christmas concerts and commercials in Garden Grove marketed toward the local Vietnamese community, a Porsche commercial, and even playing in an episode of Meet the Smiths, as the ’surprise’ for Kenny “the Jet” Smith’s anniversary celebration.
Work in Las Vegas featured playing on stage at major venues for acts such as, Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil, Paris by Night.
Non-sequitur to cello, Jes has also worked as an arranger and bandleader for the entertainment company Thuy Nga, composing string arrangements for shows between 2012 and 2014, after a year as their go-to cellist. Jes also has extensive work experiences and training in live sound and recording, learning from Los Angeles engineer fixtures including award-winning Doug Greane, first as his session cellist, but later after showing interest in perfecting recordings, as an apprentice to recording arts.
Other producing and arrangement accolades include collaborations with various artists such as the Seige, and Taz Conley, the Beatjackers, Arlo Hannigan, and remixes of promotional releases by Thuy Nga pop artists.