“Ms. Mikhael has a warm, full-bodied tone. Her intonation was impeccable throughout, and she invests her considerable talents in the music, rather than in histrionic gestures or exaggerated musical extravagances. Her rapport with Mr. Piñeirúa was noteworthy as well.

After intermission, the duo offered Dmitri Shostakovich’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Op. 40. Written in 1934 during a time of separation from his first wife Nina, it is filled with many of Shostakovich’s characteristic compositional traits – the somber character, the fluid shifts of tonality, mock ebullience, and frenzied energy. The duo captured all these elements with skill in a completely engaging performance. The audience was wowed by the brilliant finale, with its helter-skelter gusto, but this listener, though thoroughly enjoying the finale, is going to single out the Largo as not only his favorite of the work, but the highlight of the evening. The desolate beauty of the music was projected by Ms. Mikhael in a way that was heartbreaking. This was real artistry!”

“Cellist Means (Mikhael) also played a spectacular solo here that morphed into a low-end conversation with Weidenmeuller before Abbasi and Mahanthappa returned to the tight harmonies of the angular head, à la the Allman Brothers.”

“Outstanding as well was principal cellist Elizabeth Mikhael in the second movement Out of the Deep, beautifully resonant both in her opening solo and as the cello part was interwoven with chorus and orchestra.”

“Highlights here were the interplay of harp with flute and soulful solo playing from DCINY’s principal cellist, Elizabeth Mikhael, who brought still more of her burnished tone to the third movement, The Sun Never Says.”

“Ms. Mikhael drew out of my child a sound that included a level of musical artistry that my son may not have known he possessed. His performance at the recital, where he incorporated her comments and suggestions, brought me to tears. She is sensitive and tough, she looks right at you, and gives you the gift of her fully focused attention. She knows what’s in there and how to draw it out of each student, tailoring her approach to whatever it takes to bring out the best in each child. Wow. She worked magic with the seven kids I watched her teach in master classes, and the growth in each student from day one to day four was astounding. My two cellists were blessed to have her as their master class instructor.”

“Elizabeth Mikhael has been teaching our son Andrew (age 10) for 6 years and my son James (age 6) for 3 years. Through all that time, Elizabeth has been more than a music teacher but an ever positive figure in their lives and mine. Elizabeth meets each child’s successes and struggles with joy, encouragement and excellent teaching. She is a rare gem - a talented cellist, gifted teacher and beautiful soul who has raised a huge family of musicians that are capable of uniquely expressing themselves and communicating with others through their cellos.”

“My daughter and I are both students of Elizabeth. My daughter started her very first lesson with her at 4.5 yrs old, when she didn’t have enough maturity, and full understanding of why she is coming to the weekly cello lesson. I remember countless moments of her acting up, being rude to Elizabeth and simply just not showing any motivation or enthusiasm. Elizabeth handled each difficult and embarrassing moment (at least to me) with such patience, nurturing and encouraging words, while teaching her respect, love for her teacher, peer, parents and her instrument.

3 yrs later, my daughter is now 7.5 yrs old and words can’t describe the love, respect, pride and passion she has for cello and her teacher. Elizabeth became our daughter’s ‘third parent’ who has played such a huge role in shaping my daughter to be a better person and musician, for which we are all enormously grateful for.

Apart from that, Elizabeth always has her own unique style of communicating with kids, so that it makes just perfect sense to them while making it so fun. Other teachers may try to teach the exact same thing, but do not always succeed in getting through the kids mind, but Elizabeth has ability to do it with so much fun.

She is always very organized, taking notes of all the lesson details, which makes the next lesson so fluid and seamless. She brings huge amount of energy and positivity, that we all leave feeling great at the end of each lesson. Most of all, she has love and respect for kids and parents, which creates mutually respectful and loving environment.

I, as a parent, am a student of Elizabeth as well, and I realized firsthand how teacher can really make a difference in student’s love for learning and progress. We are so lucky to have her. ”

“My name is Bruce King-Shey and I was a beginner adult student with Elizabeth for about 5 years in New York City. Elizabeth was a wondrous and ideal cello teacher for me, always keeping me motivated, challenged, and pushing my progress, even as I managed a busy professional and personal life on the side. Elizabeth answered any question I had about the cello, from the science behind string vibrations and sound production, to the phrasing of the music, to my body mechanics. I appreciated that not only was Elizabeth an accomplished and active performer, but she also had deep expertise as a teacher, enabling her to explain things in a way that a beginner could understand. And as expected, she has high standards… exactly what you want from a teacher! I loved being engaged by the cello. It was great to feel my brain work and learn in a way that adults don’t often get to experience anymore. Elizabeth always brought such positive energy to our lessons; there was such joy and fun. The years I spent with Elizabeth were filled with wonder, learning, laughter, and accomplishment. ”

“My daughter and I have had the pleasure of being students of Mrs. Elizabeth Mikhael for the past 4 years.
She is extremely patient, kind and finds a special way to connect with each one of her students.
We have also had the pleasure of watching her perform solo at Carnegie Hall! Pretty special to see your teacher on such a prestigious stage.”

“Elizabeth is fabulous with kids and approaches teaching with humor and warmth. She has unending patience. Elizabeth uses creative practice strategies to make the process of learning cello fun, like making up silly lyrics to routine pieces and using stickers and bright colors to aid in positioning. We have nothing but good things to say about our 4+ years under Elizabeth’s tutelage. ”

“Elizabeth was my son’s Suzuki teacher from ages 4 to 11. She is a natural with children of all ages as well as a truly gifted teacher. Elizabeth cares deeply about her students, both as people and as musicians. Lessons with Elizabeth are engaging and fun, and at the same time are packed with technique and high expectations. Most important to me as a mother, though, is that my son adores Elizabeth, and she adores him! We both highly recommend Elizabeth!”

“Elizabeth Mikhael is an extraordinary cello teacher & performer. Elizabeth taught our daughter from the time she was three years old until she was ten years old. Elizabeth is steadfast, kind, full of joy, thorough, and encouraging. She has a magic way with children and understands how to keep kids engaged at every level. She is universally beloved by all her students. She has been a gift to our daughter in terms of her musical education, and she is a gift to our whole family — bringing us joy and laughter and music and consistency and continuity every week. I can’t imagine our life without her.”