About Me

I started playing the piano when I was 4 and violin at 6. I instantly loved music! I was a sensitive and enthusiastic student and made quick and steady progress. When I was 14 my mother gifted me with 5 beginning piano students from her studio. That’s when I got the first taste of my love of teaching. I am grateful to my mother for her commitment to provide opportunities for me to discover and enjoy music.

After completing a BA in violin and piano performance from the Eastman School of Music I taught strings in a public elementary school for a year followed by a year in a Suzuki violin program at a SUNY college in Upstate New York. The next 5 years I taught piano at my private studio.

I moved to Boulder, Colorado and free-lanced with violin. I formed a string quartet that played frequently for concerts and events. I taught violin and piano students. When my son was born I had to deal with the fact that it wasn’t feasible to continue my career in music. I earned a MA in Counseling and Creative Arts Therapies and a Ph.D. in Women’s Psychology. After 13 years in Colorado I moved back to Rochester, NY and opened a private psychotherapy practice. I taught psychology classes at local universities. My passion for teaching was ignited again.

When I retired, I moved back to Colorado. I couldn’t wait to find my way back to music. I currently play violin in an orchestra and in a string quartet. I have been composing prolifically for violin and piano. I teach violin, viola, piano and composition. I have never been happier! When I teach, I see myself as a caring guide. I teach each student according to their learning style, talent, situation and goals. I believe it’s important for my students to have a working understanding of basic music theory as well as finding joy playing what excites them. My ultimate goal is helping students “make music”. My teaching encourages, supports and inspires this.

"Imagination" composition

I was commissioned by Creative Alchemy One to compose a piano piece to play on their video Imagination. The video is a cutting-edge demonstration of techniques they are developing in their studio.

Student video

I made this video with a new middle-school violin student. The focus is “How to keep your violin safe–especially in middle-school orchestra”. We addressed his concerns and by the end of the video he felt in-control and confident.

kind words

“My daughter has down syndrome. Her occupational therapist suggested playing the piano as a way to help her develop finger independence and coordination. Plus, since she was a baby she responded favorably to music. A day didn’t go by that she didn’t ask to listen to music. She loves Paula deChelly! She asks many times a day if this is the day she can go and play with her. Her attention span has increased a lot. She can play with a finger on each hand together. She loves it when Paula plays and she dances around. I am thrilled because it makes her SO HAPPY!”

Carla Hutchison

“My middle-schooler was having a difficult time. My husband and I were getting a divorce and my kid was lost. His grades were horrible. He had no friends. He became someone I’d never seen—constantly angry and argumentative. Even the therapist I found him wasn’t getting through. Someone told me about Paula deChelly. My son had expressed an interest in playing piano before things fell apart. It was worth a try. Paula was a master at connecting with my son. He loved the support and encouragement she gave him. He seemed to be remembering who he was. Playing the piano empowered him and gave him a way to express himself. I don’t know what would have happened if we hadn’t found Paula deChelly! I will always be grateful!”

Dolores Maloy

“I was looking for a teacher who started violin students with the Suzuki method. My daughter was 8 when we found Paula deChelly. She absolutely fell in love with playing the violin. She couldn’t wait for her lessons. She just graduated from high school. In the center of her graduation cake was a violin. She couldn’t wait to show it to Miss Paula. She has signed up to play in her college orchestra and I suspect she will play violin through her life. Paula has given her so much!”

Catherine Morris

“I always wanted to play the piano since I was a little girl. I was bringing my granddaughter to piano lessons with Paula deChelly. One day I got brave and asked her if she ever taught adults. She said, “YES!!!!!” I told her she would have to be a miracle worker to deal with my mind games, doubts and judgments. She said she wasn’t afraid of that. At my first lesson she taught me how to breathe and relax. I’m high-strung and have never been able to do that. Piano playing has become a way of learning all kinds of things about myself. Playing is a special part of my life now. Paula is an amazing person to accompany me on this musical journey. When she shares what she loves, I take it in like it’s candy. I am a better and happier person because of it!”

Marcia Cottrell

“I have been a student of Paula for six years. Over these six years, I have been very lucky to have Paula as a teacher & mentor. Paula is one of the best teachers and she is a very kind, compassionate and patient person. I really appreciate everything she has done for me over these years. She has helped me excel in violin from the very beginning when I started. She has helped me prepare for auditions, correct and improve my playing & posture, wrote pieces & exercises to work on techniques and been a wonderful support for me. I value the one on one support & detailed lessons she offers. I really appreciate all the support and kindness she has given me.”

Nora Dukart, Violin Student

“My daughter has been a violin student of Paula's for the past six years. Paula has taken her from the beginning of her violin experiences at the age of nine to the present time where they continue to work together weekly.

During the past six years Paula has been a teacher and a mentor to my daughter and has supported and encouraged her through weekly lessons where she has been explicitly teaching her techniques and musical concepts, prepping and performing for recitals, playing for district honors orchestra auditions and performances, practicing solos for competitions and concerts as well as numerous other extra opportunities for her to grow her violin playing skills.

During COVID Paula continued to meet with my daughter online and supported her in an online weekly lesson. Even though this was a challenging time, Paula was flexible and able to adapt her teaching style to meet my daughter's needs on a remote platform. Paula' s love and dedication to the music profession was apparent as she navigated through teaching online and keeping my daughter fully engaged and excelling in her learning.

Paula is professional and shares her vast knowledge, experiences, and love of music with her students. She is an accomplished composer and spends time each day playing and writing music. She uses a variety of strategies to increase student engagement and motivation such as modeling, meeting students where they are and tailoring instruction to individual needs. Paula has composed and shared special music just for my daughter. She is encouraging and always patient and supportive with her especially in times of challenges. Paula looks for ways to increase my daughters confidence and has recently invited her to join her in playing with an orchestra that she is part of.

During the time that we have worked with Paula our family has come to adore her. We always look forward to our weekly visits with her and enjoy the beautiful music our daughter can make because of their work together. She has become a beloved and dear friend to our family and we highly recommend Paula as teacher for all ages of learners!.”

Kim Dukart