Making Music for your Ears and Feelings

Understanding your Emotions Through the Sound of the Cello!

Similar in shape and proportion to the violin, the cello (or violoncello) is a bowed string instrument that developed in the early 16th century. Known for its warm, deep, and soulful sound, the cello can play beautiful melodies filled with joy and also low steady rhythms to create a melancholy mood. Cellist Julia Knowles demonstrates how the music of the cello is a powerful medium for emotional expression and recognition, connecting us to our internal emotional landscape.

Explore the accompanying slides and worksheets to learn more about the cello and how to express our feelings through music.

About the Artist

Julia Knowles (she/her) is a cellist and LLMSW psychotherapist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work and also holds degrees in Cello Performance and Music Education from the University of Michigan School of Music. Previously, Julia was the Director of Orchestras at Tappan Middle School.

As a therapist for children and young adults, Julia focuses on healing and growth through self compassion, personal insight and somatic-based modalities. She also continues to teach cello lessons, combining her music education and therapy training to help students develop a life-long connection to music making through self-discovery, body awareness, and the joy and challenge of learning an instrument.

Julia performs with a range of musical groups across SE Michigan, including Ann Arbor Symphony and Midtown Strings. Collaborating with artists across genres, she enjoys bringing to life new musical works in the recording studio and can be heard on albums by Michigan songwriters Lily Talmers, Max Cornell, dashPF, and others.