Tara Hanish

Tara is a cellist and educator based in upstate NY and the NYC area.

Classically trained, her versatility across multiple genres has led her cello career through a varied landscape of musical experiences; from orchestral and traditional chamber music to theater and new music chamber groups, from supporting artists like the Foo Fighters and Kanye West to playing with rock bands and writing & recording string arrangements for all kinds of musical projects.

Tara performs regularly with post-rock instrumental trio You Bred Raptors, and as a member of the Glens Falls Symphony, Catskill Symphony Orchestra and the Fenimore Chamber Orchestra. She owns and manages the event music business Mayfield Strings, and freelances around the Adirondacks, Capital District region, NYC and surrounding Tri-State areas.

As a passionate educator, Tara maintains a private studio offering in-person lessons in Clifton Park, NY, as well as remote and hybrid lesson options.

She has taught previously as a Teaching Artist for the Empire State Youth Orchestra, as well as on the faculties of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Queens College Preparatory, Suzuki on the Island in Manhasset NY, JCC Thurnauer School of Music in Tenafly NJ, and Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory in Cleveland OH.

Tara is a registered teacher in the Suzuki Method and enjoys working with students of all ages and experience levels. Additionally, she earned a Professional Studies Diploma in cello performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music; an M.M. in cello performance on full scholarship from the University of Miami and a B.M. in cello performance with High Honors from the University of Michigan.