Student Recommendations
Recommendation for Dr. Ignacy Gaydamovich
Written by Angelina Juliet Barbosa, Cellist and Alumna of Stetson University, BMP, Class of 2025
It is with great respect and heartfelt appreciation that I write this recommendation for Dr. Ignacy Gaydamovich, whose excellence as a cello teacher has had a profound and lasting impact on my musical and personal growth. His teaching is defined by clear, direct communication, a deep knowledge of cello technique, and a passionate dedication to expressive and meaningful music-making. He provides insightful, precise feedback and has an exceptional ability to identify both the strengths and technical challenges within a student’s playing. Equally important is the warmth, professionalism, and genuine care he brings to every interaction—he is a teacher who truly believes in his students and empowers them to reach their full potential.
In lessons, he combines intellectual rigor with emotional depth. His focus on building a strong technical foundation ensures that students understand what is working, what needs improvement, and how to grow with intention. He skillfully bridges the gap between technique and expression, enabling students to approach their repertoire with greater ease, confidence, and artistry. Through frequent demonstrations, he provides a powerful and clear model of both technical execution and musical phrasing. These demonstrations are not only inspiring but also highly effective in helping students internalize concepts and sound quality.
He is particularly committed to helping students produce excellent sound. His emphasis on playing close to the bridge draws out a resonant tone that brings out the cello’s finest qualities. Drawing from the legacy of legendary cellist János Starker, he has created his own adaptation of Starker’s method in an original work titled Beyond the Octave—a comprehensive and intelligent guide to advanced cello technique. Regular study of key technical repertoire, including Piatti’s Twelve Caprices, Popper’s High School of Cello Playing, and other foundational etudes, is central to his teaching. At the same time, he places high importance on expression and interpretation, helping students explore the emotional language of the music while also guiding them to study the historical context and original manuscripts to deepen their understanding of the composer’s intent.
During my senior year at Stetson University (August 2024 to May 2025), I had the privilege of studying under his guidance. In just ten months, I experienced more growth than I could have imagined. He recognized the strengths in my playing, addressed my technical struggles with clarity and patience, and guided me toward healthy practice habits that transformed my approach. One of the most meaningful highlights was being encouraged to take on repertoire I never imagined I was ready to play at this stage in my journey—and I did. His belief in my potential played a pivotal role in my growth, not only as a cellist but as a developing artist. Looking back now, it is deeply fulfilling to see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve learned.
He provided opportunities not only for individual growth but also for collaboration. Under his leadership, we formed a cello ensemble—a rare and exciting experience at our school. Thanks to his efforts, we were able to present a full cello studio recital in March 2025, featuring solo performances of Piatti Caprices and a group performance with him of Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite, followed by Chris Barbosa’s Let the Music Play as an encore, with him conducting the ensemble. This was the first cello studio recital the School of Music had in many years.
My time studying with him coincided with one of the most difficult chapters of my life—the passing of my father in October 2024. In the midst of grief, when I questioned whether I could finish my degree, audition for graduate school, or ever find joy in music again, he never gave up on me. His unwavering support, patience, and belief in my potential carried me through the darkest days. Every lesson and conversation reminded me that music still had meaning, and that there was still purpose in my path. He became more than a teacher—he was a mentor, a guiding light, and a steady presence who helped me rediscover hope. I am forever grateful for the impact he has had on my life.
Thanks to his guidance, I graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance and was accepted into the University of Central Florida’s Master of Music program—an opportunity he supported and helped me pursue.
He is not only an outstanding pedagogue and accomplished cellist, but also a deeply compassionate and dedicated educator. He helps students reach both their professional goals and their deepest dreams. I consider him the greatest cello teacher I have ever had, and I recommend him with the highest confidence and lasting gratitude.
Sincerely,
Angelina Juliet Barbosa
Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance
Stetson University, Class of 2025
May, 12, 2025
To whom it may concern,
I first met Dr. Ignacy Gaydamovich through a master class for the next interim professor for my college last summer. My original cello professor had just left for a new opportunity at another school and me, and my colleagues were concerned about getting a cello professor to help mentor us in our continued cello studies. He talked extensively about how I could improve my right-hand bow technique and about how it specifically applied to the Brahms symphony No. 2 second movement excerpt I was playing. After playing for him in the masterclass, it was immediately apparent that Dr. Ignacy was very serious about developing a strong set of foundational techniques in my cello playing in addition to showing an in-depth knowledge of the music I was playing.
That semester, Dr. Ignacy served as my interim cello professor.He helped me continue to develop my cello technique like no teacher I have had before and made me and my colleagues play in multiple ensembles outside of orchestra to give us additional chances to incorporate our cello skills. In addition to providing in-depth instruction on my technique studies like etudes and scales, Dr. Ignacy was very accommodating to us. Depending on our musical interests, whether education or performance, Dr. Ignacy tailored our lessons depending on our career interests. For me and my performance colleagues, Dr. Ignacy stressed our technical ability to prepare us for graduate studies.
Dr. Ignacy, in addition to providing us with exceptional undergraduate mentorship, Dr. Ignacy was a very friendly and encouraging teacher, setting up end of semester get togethers for us to connect, relax and reflect on our semester’s cello accomplishments and future goals. After getting to know Dr. Ignacy this last year, I think he will be a great inspiration and mentor anywhere he goes.
2023-Current Assistant Principal Cellist Stetson University Orchestra
Anthony Toro