The Orchestra Teacher Podcast – Special Guest Harrison Cook 🎻

In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome Harrison Cook, Director of Orchestras at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Cobb County, Georgia. Now in his ninth year of teaching, Harrison brings a unique perspective to the classroom, having transitioned from a full-time career as a professional cellist to an award-winning educator.

Join us as we dive into his journey—from performing with world-renowned ensembles like the Atlanta Symphony abd the Atlanta Opera to leading outstanding school orchestras that consistently earn superior ratings at LGPE. Harrison shares insights on cello pedagogy, effective teaching strategies, and the intersection of performance and education.

We’ll also explore his experiences performing in over 10 countries, and his success in mentoring students who have gone on to prestigious conservatories. Whether you’re a seasoned educator, a new teacher, or a musician looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by Harrison’s story of passion, performance, and pedagogy!

#OrchestraTeacher #MusicEducation #HarrisonCook #Orchestra #Cello #MusicPedagogy

--

Harrison is currently the Director of Orchestras at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Cobb County, Georgia. He is currently in his ninth year of teaching, after having a full career as a professional musician. He has previously directed orchestras as Simpson Middle School and Sprayberry High School, all within Cobb County. His orchestras have consistently scored superior rating at LGPE. He has had the honor of presenting sessions on cello pedagogy, and has performed as a soloist with several orchestras and choirs at the annual Georgia Music educators Association conference.

Harrison received his BA from Georgia State University and his Masters in Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University for cello performance. He has played in various professional ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet, Greenville Symphony, and many others. As a performer, Harrison has had the opportunity to play around the world in over 10 countries, including performances in Italy, Monaco, and a solo tour in China. In addition to his symphonic work, Harrison is an active member of the Atlanta music scene, doing studio work for films, games, and performing artists. Harrison has a robust private studio, with students consistently performing at All State and Honor Orchestra, attending summer institutes such as Brevard, Franklin Pond, Suwanee, and Interlochen, as well as universities such as Peabody Conservatory, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

-- REFERRAL LINKS --

Ready to shake up your next orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. They know the best destinations and most iconic venues for orchestras. Check out the Kaleidoscope Adventures link below for fresh ideas and inspiration – and then let them work their magic! They’ll handle all the details from start to finish so all you have to do is enjoy theexperience!

https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/