About Garth Cummings, Cellist

Persistence and Resilience

Mr. Cummings began his cello studies in the public school music program in Seattle, Washington, and entered private study soon thereafter. Garth developed an interest in computer programming after being introduced to the subject in high school (in the pre-personal computer era). He used these skills to put himself through college and worked as a software engineer for multiple decades.

Mr. Cummings received his Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He went on to earn Master of Music degrees in Applied Cello and Music Theory from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There he studied cello with Lowell Creitz and chamber music with the Pro Arte Quartet. His master’s thesis topic was Microcomputer Applications in Musical Acoustical Analysis. He was a student of the noted cello pedagogue Irene Sharp for 15 years.

In addition to his teaching activities, Mr. Cummings is principal cellist of Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose, a member of the Peninsula Symphony, a founding member of South Bay Baroque, and is an active chamber musician.

Mr. Cummings is a member of American String Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association.

Garth is an instrument-rated private pilot and enjoys hiking, cooking, and kayaking. He lives in San Jose with his wife Ann.