Introduction

In addition to teaching at CIM, Dr. Ida Mercer is the executive director of the Cleveland Cello Society and a certified instructor and trainer in Paul Rolland’s string method, The Teaching of Action in String Playing. Her summer music activities include cello instructor for the International Cello Institute in Northfield, Minnesota (2018) and cellist in the Britt Classical Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon (1991-present). A busy freelance cellist, she is a member of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and has served as assistant principal cello of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra (1982-2000), Cleveland Opera Orchestra (1982-2009), Red {an orchestra} (2001-08) and founding member of the Almeda Trio (2008-16).

Education

  • BM in cello, University of Illinois
  • MM, Yale University School of Music
  • DMA, Cleveland Institute of Music; studied with Alan Harris

Teaching Experience

  • Cleveland Institute of Music (1987–1991; 2006–present)
  • Britt Classical Music Festival (1991-present) 
  • Cello instructor, The Music Settlement (1998-2021)
  • Cello and music theory instructor, Luther College 

Dr. Mercer has also given master classes at the Royal Conservatory of Scotland and has taught for the International Cello Institute.