Cellist

Listening to classical music at home as a child, she fell in love early with the sounds from a cello. As an adult player and teacher, she shared her musical passion literally across the world. No one could have greater career satisfaction. 

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Deborah Reeder (DR) was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia. Her mother taught piano and violin. Her father played records of classical music at home. 

CHILDHOOD

DR began to focus on the sounds of the cello and chamber music during her childhood in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. She was intrigued by the cello’s resonance (quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating) and its impact on the listener.

EDUCATION

Following high school graduation, DR attended the Philadelphia Musical Academy, now known as University of the Arts, where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music performance. She then trained at the Tanglewood music center in Massachusetts and Kneisel Hall music school in Maine. 

EARLY TRAINING LED TO MUSIC MASTERY

Willing to continue learning from top-rated cellists, DR trained with famed cellists Lorne Munroe and Orlando Cole in Philadelphia plus Luigi Silva in New York and later earned invitations to play with the Philadelphia Concerto Soloists, Princeton Chamber Orchestra, American Society of Ancient Instruments, and many other groups. 

DR went on to master the works of Brahms, Beethoven, and other composers. She played under conductor Eugene Ormandy in the Philadelphia Orchestra for six years and with the Philadelphia Ballet orchestra and other large groups, but she especially enjoyed smaller concerts in churches, theaters, and schools. 

She was an original member of the Amado String Quartet and a music artist-in-residence for years at Rosemont College, Yellow Springs Institute and Trenton State College, now the College of New Jersey. She also appeared on radio and TV shows and organized countless workshops, lectures, and student concerts.

CO-FOUNDING A CELLO TRIO

DR joined a violinist and a pianist to create “The Philadelphia Trio” which toured the Philadelphia region regularly and across the country and throughout Europe. 

“People like to her an instrument individually, as opposed to an orchestra, where they all play together,” said DR. “Ours is an intimate setting for beautiful music.” 

TEACHING MUSIC

DR taught cello and chamber music privately and at University of the Arts, Temple University, and several music schools. Students nicknamed her ‘Eager Beaver’ for her enthusiasm. One student said, “She taught me so much more than cello. She imparted a mindset of curiosity and hard work.” 

Commenting on her music teaching career, DR said, “Teaching balances out playing. It makes you think about your own playing. But if I had to choose, I’d still prefer playing.”

CAREER SATISFACTION

DR’s Philadelphia Trio earned rave reviews from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post and Richmond Times-Dispatch. After releasing several recordings, one famous music critic wrote that “the naturalness of the give and take within this ensemble (Ensemble definition: A group of musicians, actors or dancers who perform together) magnified the music.”

Inquirer music critic described DR’s playing as “nonabrasive and restrained, full of inner colors.” He said she “probed for the sweetness in the musical line.” Another reviewer noted her “brilliant legato.” (Legato defined: “Smooth and flowing in manner, without breaks between notes.”) 

The violinist within her trio noted about DR: “One of her gifts was to draw people together from disparate groups and form wonderful friendships. And music was the common link.”

This career story is based on an obituary written by Gary Miles, published by The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper on January 23, 2024.