I am a Skagit-County based cellist and cello teacher with 45 years of playing experience in both classical and rock/folk/pop settings. I began my cello studies in Cincinnati, Ohio with Cincinnati Symphony Assistant Principal cellist Geraldine Sutyak (a student of Janos Starker), and I participated in the Cincinnati Youth Symphony and Interlochen Arts Camp’s World Youth Symphony in my high school years. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I studied with baroque specialist Brent Wissick and served as Principal Cellist in the University Orchestra and New Music Ensemble, then went on to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where I studied with LaSalle Quartet cellist Lee Fiser (a student and colleague of Lynn Harrell). After college I enjoyed playing the electric cello in rock bands and had the opportunity to play concerts across the United States and Europe, in a wide range of venues, from small bars to Madison Square Garden. After embarking on a career as a computer programmer, I moved to Seattle and continued to play in rock bands while also returning to classical music, playing in the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra for ten years, serving as the Principal cellist from 2015-2018. I am a current member of the Skagit Symphony, Everett-based Pacifica Chamber Orchestra , Bellingham Symphony Orchestra and several chamber ensembles. I have also performed with the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra , Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Bellingham Chamber Chorale and Theater Artists for Social Action.
Along with teaching private cello lessons for all levels at my home in Sedro-Woolley, WA, I enjoy coaching young musicians in the Bellingham Youth Chamber Players, where I have been a coach for the past several years. In the summer of 2023 I helped to found the Anacortes Music Project’s Overture Strings Camp, creating the curriculum and schedule and serving as Lead Instructor in a week-long, half-day camp to teach beginning strings to school-age kids in the Skagit County region. I am also the founder of the Skagit Youth String Ensembles program, which features a Junior Strings ensemble, as well as an Advanced Chamber string orchestra and rehearses in Burlington, WA. I am a passionate player with a profound enthusiasm for sharing music both as a performer and as an educator.
Contact me at barbhuntercello@gmail.com for more information on lessons.
Barb Hunter Cello 
Don’t need lessons. Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your contribution to the Afghan Whigs song Brother Woodrow/Closing Prayer. It is far and away my favorite rock instrumental of all time.
A new friend of mine who is an artist in Los Angeles is learning the cello and I played that for her last night for the first time and of course she loved it.
I thought you should know. Thank you very much.
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Thanks, John! That was many moons ago, but remains a cherished experience at Ardent Studios on Memphis, TN. Glad you appreciate the song!!!
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Thanks John…I love that song and feel lucky to have been a part of it!
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Hi Barb, I’m a million miles away in the fractured UK but I too wanted to pay homage to your incredible skills. You have such an incredible resume and you should really update it with both Pigface and Afghan Whigs. The Dulli/McCollum/Curley/Buchignani/Chichester/Hunter/Falsetti/Smith line up is the best rock band that has ever walked the planet. Your playing with the band moves me loads and fills me with joy. I love strings in a rock setting. I’m so gutted we lost Shawn last year. What a terrible day it was. I’m friends with Happy and Laura. They’re still rocking Columbus though Laura has been unwell. They’re both my heroes.
My friend has taken up cello and my first recommendation/role model is you and your body of work.
Thanks for being you. Thanks for the music. I’ve got friends in Seattle so I will forward your website to them.
By the way Santana drummer Mike Shrieve is in Seattle, he had been recording with Shawn. You should do something with him, Skerik, and Keith Lowe. Dream line up right there!
Kind regards
Sandy
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Thanks, Sandy! I’ve been on recordings with Keith Lowe as well as Skerik, but we’ve never actually played at the same time together. Maybe someday! Thanks for your kind words…I have nothing but fond memories for those days playing with the Afghan Whigs as well as Pigface. I was actually supposed to tour with Pigface in Spring of 2020 but naturally the gigs were cancelled. Again, maybe someday! Cheers to you.
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I have only recently been exposed to theAfghan Whigs. I have seriously appreciated all that I have listened to and I just wanted to say that I never realized how much a cello could enhance rock music. Anyway, just know that I find both you and the music you create beautiful, and thank you 😊
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Barb , my name is Robert Morse and I am looking to hire a cello player for 2 hrs. Sept 11th For my wedding in Burlington wa.
I was hoping you would know such a person. I am not having very good luck finding one….😢
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Hi Robert! My apologies for not responding sooner. I’m not currently playing any weddings, but I can ask a couple other cellists if they’re interested. Is the event indoor or outdoors? Do you have specific music you want to be played, or just some solo cello? Is it for the ceremony and reception, or just reception? Feel free to reply via email to barbhuntercello@gmail.com. Thanks and have a wonderful day!
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Hi Barb,
Did you ever live in Long Beach California?
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Nope. Never been there 🙂
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I’m a huge fan of Bronwynne Brent, and have watched her (and your) live performance of “Heartbreaker” on YouTube many times, and I always leave with a profound fulfillment after such a beautiful live performance.
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