April 23, 2012 | Cello History
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Red-Dress-Cello
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Famous Red Dress Cellist

Madame Suggia by Augustus John

I love this painting of Guilhermina Suggia by Augustus John. Her passion and talent combined with the beautiful red dress make for a stunning painting. Years ago, Cellists were not female and were not encouraged to become cellists. It's such a fascinating piece of cello history. 

It is by sheer coincidence that my cellist in the show has almost the identical dress and style. Also notice that the shape of the Cello is so similar to the woman’s body – complete with her curves and plenty of "strings" attached.

Read more about this famous painting and cello history here.

 

 

 

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January 01, 2012 | Articles, Latest News, Media
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BH-Courier-Logo
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Beverly Hills Courier Article

Steve Simmons of the Beverly Hills Courier stopped by to see the show over the holiday.

"Magician Ivan Amodei has been packing them in at the Beverly Wilshire. So, to mark his one-year anniversary of sold-out shows, L.A.'s No. 1 magician has added three New Year's Eve shows at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. in the hotel’s historic Le Grand Trianon Theater.

 
His usual weekend shows are in his intimate 65-seat suite and the show is even labeled “Intimate Illusions — A Magical & Musical Experience.” With Amodei’s friendly, never stuffy or formal manner, the evening’s effect is as if a magician friend has invited you over to show you his latest tricks. If your friend is a world-class magician.

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May 05, 2011 | The Cellists
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Irina Chirkova’s Bio

When not performing in Ivan's hit show, Intimate illusions, Irina performs in Celine Dion's orchestra at Caesar's Palace Las Vegas.

Born In Bulgaria, Irina Chirkova began learning the cello at the age of five and studied at Sofia Music School from ages six to nineteen. In 1997, Irina traveled overseas for the first time and enrolled at The Boston Conservatory, as a student of Andrew Mark.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree from The Boston Conservatory in 2000, and earned her Master's Degree in 2002 under the guidance of Rhonda Rider. 
Irina Chirkova is an active solo and chamber musician. As an electric cello band member, Irina plays standing up in the CCBONNES and MystiQuintet groups, with whom she toured internationally (Dubai, Qatar, Greece), as well as within the US.  

She has also played with Boston area bands in local venues. 
 
Ms. Chirkova has performed at political conferences for Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney and she has played on TV shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman, the Jingle Ball event with Kanye West, and the BET Awards with P. Diddy, (2010).


 
Up to the fall of 2005, Irina had been a teaching assistant for Rhonda Rider at Wellesley College. Presently, she is a cello faculty at Santa Monica Music Center (Santa Monica), Cornerstone Music Conservatory (Los Angeles), Neighborhood Music School (Downtown Los Angeles), and Opus Music School (Torrance), CA

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She is a member of: 

  • Celine Dion's Orchestra, Las Vegas, Caesar's Palace 2011-2014

  • Sully Erna (Godsmack) Solo Band

  • Mark Salling (Glee) solo band
  • 
Rouge Music Group band

  • ChamberPop band

Visit her official website.

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May 03, 2011 | The Cellists
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Claire
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Claire Courchene’s Bio

When not performing with Ivan in his hit show, Intimate Illusions, you can find Claire touring with Josh Groban. On the cello, Claire has performed all over England and the United States. Living in Miami, Claire had the fortune of sharing the stage with many of the music industry’s leading performers, including Duran Duran, Mark Ronson, P.Diddy, Macy Gray, Burt Bacharach, Doc Severisen, Monica Mancini, Common, and Kanye West.

Claire took part in a summer of training at the Henry Mancini Institute based in Los Angeles. 

And since then has participated in an assortment of recording projects, including several independent movie soundtracks as well as appearing as a soloist on a dozen albums from various independent artists and bands.

Claire began her musical journey in England, when she began studying the cello when she was just two years old. By the age of seven, her love of music grew so strong, that after seeing the movie “The Music Man” Claire was inspired to start learning the trombone, which she has continued ever since.

Visit her official website.

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