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Frequently Asked Questions

Zuill is a Featured Artist in the Internet Cello Society's Newsletter, Tutti Celli

To read the article click here and click archives:
http://www.cello.org

What is the origin of the name Zuill?

The name Zuill is Scots-Irish, and was actually our family's surname a few hundred years ago. Our distant relatives must have had girls and were afraid the name was not going to be passed down. To remedy this, they began placing Zuill as the middle name. Over the years, the male members of the family began using it as their name. It has been passed to my Grandfather, my father and now down to me.

Why the cello?

Both my parents are musicians: my mother is a pianist and my father has his Doctorate in both music and education. Also, my sister (2 ½ years older), is a violinist. There was no question whether or not I was to learn a musical instrument. The question was which one could someone so young begin with. Having an older sibling already playing the violin, my parents were warned not to have us both on the same instrument. This might cause unneeded competition in the house as we grew up. One day while at a local symphony concert, being the energetic four year old that I was, I found myself running furiously down a back hallway after the concert. This is where I literally had my first "run in" with a cello. Needless to say, it wasn't a very expensive one or we would still be paying for it. After the incident I pointed to the broken intrument and proclaimed that this is what I wanted to play. The rest is history…


Who were some of your earliest influences?

Having grown up in Northern Virginia, I couldn't help but be extraordinarily influenced by Rostropovich. At that time, he was music director of the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as performed frequently in the city. Another huge impact was made by my teacher Loran Stephenson. I began studying with him at about 9 years of age, and from the very beginning he taught me the essence of hard work and demanding the highest level from oneself. He instilled a discipline in me that I continue to draw upon.


What kind of cello do you play?

The cello I perform on was made by the great Venetian maker Matteo Goffriller in 1693. This is the instrument that was used for 30 years by Mischa Schneider of the Budapest String Quartet. It is a very interesting example of Goffriller for it has a carved Rosette on the top, under the fingerboard. This is one of two cellos by this maker which has this feature.