Business spotlight: Cello teacher seeks local students

Annandale Today’s “Business Spotlight” feature highlights local businesses in the Annandale/Mason District area. Previous posts in the series focused on GoGo Photo, Shadow Combatives, and Sergio’s Hair Salon. If you would like us to report on your business, contact [email protected].

Professional cellist and cello teacher Irina Ponomareva has many students in Fairfax and is seeking new students closer to her new home in Annandale.

Ponomareva teaches the classical style of cello playing to beginners, starting at age 6, up to advanced cellists who want to improve their technique. Individualized lessons can be held at her home or at the student’s home. Lessons are generally 45 minutes for $70.

“I’m very kind and open to all ages,” she says. 

Ponomareva grew up in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia, where she graduated with high honors from the Rostov State Rachmaninov Conservatory. She has won prizes at international chamber music competitions, performed across Europe and the Middle East, and has extensive experience as a chamber ensemble concertmaster and as a cello educator

Currently a U.S. citizen, she’s been in Northern Virginia for 19 years. She has three daughters, including one at Annandale High School.

In addition to giving private lessons, Ponomareva teaches cello at the Mason Community Arts Academy at George Mason University and performs with the Arioso Chorale.

Ponomareva doesn’t have a website for her cello instruction, so she invites people interested in taking lessons to call her at 703-869-8205.