This colorful musical poster was donated by longtime ICI faculty

member, and current board member, Laura Sewell. It hung on her

childhood bedroom wall and “listened to” hours of cello practicing! It is

beautifully framed and measures 24 x 36.

Receive a cello lesson with Anthony Ross, principal cello of the Minnesota Orchestra!

Dynamic leader of the Minnesota Orchestra’s cello section since 1991, prize-winning cellist Anthony Ross has appeared as a soloist many times with the Orchestra. Mr. Ross has taught at the Eastman School of Music, on the faculties of the Aspen and Grand Tetons Music Festivals, the International Cello Institute, as well as Interlochen and Madeline Island Chamber Music.

All private lessons are an hour long unless indicated otherwise, and need to be scheduled directly with the teachers. Timing and location are left up to the discretion of each teacher.

CABIN STAY AND BEER TASTING EXPERIENCE IN THE NORTHWOODS OF MINNESOTA

Period of time: By mutual agreement: Fall Season, mid-September through mid -October 2026

Location: 15 miles south of Ely, Minnesota

Spend 3 days and 2 nights in the beautiful gateway to the Boundary Waters area up near Ely, Minnesota. This property is owned by a retired professional musician; you will be staying in a private airy loft apartment (36x54) situated near lakes and hiking trails. A canoe is also available for use. The owner brews craft beer and will provide a variety of tasting opportunities during your stay. The fall is the most beautiful time of year to experience the colors of the Northwoods.

Two tickets to the Sharon Isbin Recital in September 2026.

Center Front section

Friday, September 25, 2026

7:30 concert

Sundin Hall, Hamline University

Receive a cello lesson with Anna Clift, Founder and Executive Director of the International Cello Institute!

Anna Clift is Founder and Executive Director of the International Cello Institute. Passionate about educating young musicians, she mentors young cellists worldwide and has taught and performed at colleges, universities and summer programs across the United States. She is currently a member of the music faculty at St. Olaf College

All private lessons are an hour long unless indicated otherwise, and need to be scheduled directly with the teachers. Timing and location are left up to the discretion of each teacher.

Coasters, made by Steven Krause - set of four

- handmade repurposed skateboard wood with walnut core 

Sparrow Tail Whisk, made by Tina Green 

- handmade with broom corn

Receive a violin lesson with Leslie Shank, former assistant concertmaster of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Leslie Shank leads an active musical life as a soloist and chamber musician. She was assistant concertmaster of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra for 24 years. Ms. Shank is a founding member of the Isles Ensemble. Founded in 2005, the group performs regularly in Minneapolis with a variety of guest artists across a wide range of repertoire. Leslie plays both violin and viola as a member of this collaborative ensemble. She is an active teacher of both Violin and Viola in the Twin Cities and served a one-year appointment as Visiting Assistant Violin Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

All private lessons are an hour long unless indicated otherwise, and need to be scheduled directly with the teachers. Timing and location are left up to the discretion of each teacher.

This farm scene, titled Axis Mundi, was captured by Minnesota photographer Peter Freeman, while on a road trip through Houston County in southeastern Minnesota. The framed photograph is signed by the photographer. The frame

measures 21¼" x 17¼"

This framed and signed photograph, titled Iowa, was donated by Minnesota

photographer, Peter Freeman. It depicts a farm scene in northern Iowa. The frame measures 21¼" x 17¼"

Curtis is a renowned ceramic artist with a distinguished career in the

field. He has been creating masterworks in clay for 50 years. Curtis

graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a Master’s

Degree in Fine Arts and was a professor of art at the University of

Minnesota from 1967-2008. He is now Professor Emeritus there.

His unique basket is one of his works from an earlier period since his art

has been evolving over the years. It is 10” high and 6” wide and is light

brown with black and cream-colored accents.

Receive a cello lesson with Julie Albers, principal cello of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra!

Principal cellist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Julie Albers is recognized for her superlative artistry and her charismatic and radiant performing style. She teaches on the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music and is a much sought-after cello teacher.

All private lessons are an hour long unless indicated otherwise, and need to be scheduled directly with the teachers. Timing and location are left up to the discretion of each teacher.

Beautiful Rajola Italian Beaded Bronze & White Necklace!

A perfect design addition for any cellist or cello enthusiast's home or studio!  

This 11" x 17" replica of the cover art of a Cleveland Cello Society season brochure 

was made by the Japanese riso printing process. The Japanese Risograph (or Riso) is a high-speed digital printing method developed by the Riso Kagaku Corporation. It bridges the gap between offset printing and screen printing. Known for its vibrant colors, tactile feel, and eco-friendly soy-based inks, it is a favorite for creating posters, zines, and art prints

It is a limited edition of only 50. Each poster is numbered and signed by the graphic designer.

Receive a lesson with Ida Mercer, 60-minute Zoom cello lesson. 

Ida Mercer, a member of the ICI Board and Director of the International Cello Institute's iExplore program, resides in Cleveland, Ohio, where she teaches both privately and as an adjunct cello professor in the CWRU/CIM Joint Music Program.  She is a certified presenter of Paul Rolland's ground-breaking string teaching method. Mercer's book "Cello Companion to Paul Rolland's The Teaching of Action in String Playing" was just published in March of this year, filling a major cello pedagogical gap.    

She would be happy to guide you through the essential elements of the Rolland Method at your lesson or work on any piece of repertoire that you would like

Lesson to occur at a mutually agreed-upon time by Ida Mercer and the winning bidder.

All private lessons are an hour long unless indicated otherwise, and need to be scheduled directly with the teachers. Timing and location are left up to the discretion of each teacher.

Long Japanese wall scrolls are traditionally known as kakejiku (or kakemono). These vertical artworks feature a painting or calligraphy mounted on silk, paper, or brocade, with a weighted rod at the bottom.  Featuring Japanese calligraphy, seasonal motifs, or paintings, this scroll is crafted with refined techniques that reflect the beauty of nature and culture.

Make an elegant statement, perfect for keeping yourself cool at a concert. 

The fan is not flimsy, but folds up to keep out of sight when not using.

Receive a 90-minute chamber music coaching with Laura Sewell!

Cellist Laura Sewell enjoys an active and varied musical career and has distinguished herself as a highly respected chamber musician. From 2007 to 2016, she was a member of the Artaria String Quartet. Earlier in her career, she was the founding cellist of the Lark Quartet. During her tenure in the Lark, the ensemble won the bronze medal at the Banff International String Quartet Competition and served as teaching assistants to the Juilliard String Quartet at the Juilliard School. For the past fifteen years, Ms. Sewell has served as the Associate Director, a faculty member, and a board member of the International Cello Institute. She plays as a substitute cellist with both the Minnesota and St. Paul Chamber Orchestras and is a member of the Isles Ensemble in Minneapolis.

This book chronicles the Minnesota Orchestra's 16-month lockout, detailing how musicians fought to save the institution from a business model that threatened artistic excellence, ultimately leading to a hard-fought contract and renewed community support, making it a landmark case in orchestral labor history. The book combines firsthand accounts from Ayer, a longtime violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra. Her meticulous research documenting the musician's solidarity, the community's response, and the orchestra's subsequent resurgence, including being named Gramophone's 2021 Orchestra of the Year.

Extremely handy and a nice way to serve pickles or nuts or even candy at a party or reception.

100% natural silk thread with matching silk tassels. Comes in a silk-covered presentation box