Quintanilla's work as a modern cellist and collaborator allows her to explore her own musicianship and virtuosity by going outside the box of the traditional concepts of acoustic cello playing.
Thank you for your interest in Miss Olivia Quintanilla’s Music Lessons!
Stillwater at Grand Garage Monday- Thursday | City of Lakes Waldorf School Thursday | Minnesota Waldorf School
Friday | Home lessons Inquire for availability
Start your Musical Journey
Skip the wait - You can now self book your first lesson!
Not ready to book? Register for lessons to begin the conversation.
Studio Lessons start at $40/30 minute lesson on a weekly basis.
School lessons are offered a discounted $35/30 minute lessons.
Fill out the form below. If it does not appear, refresh the page or email me directly at Qliviastrings@gmail.com
This student registration will ask general information of both student and parent in order to properly connect with you about lessons. Signing up for lessons does not guarantee a lesson time. Once we have agreed on a time and start date, you will receive your first invoice and instructions on payment.
Miss Olivia Quintanilla trained in cello pedagogy and private instruction at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. She is an artist instructor with GTCYS ( Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony) Harmony Program since 2019 where she leads beginner cello classes. I use a combination of lesson books and repertoire to keep a student engaged and eager to learn.
Caitlin, hailing from St. Paul, MN, is a passionate cellist, composer, and aficionado of string instruments. Her love for classical music sparked at a young age, and she has since expanded her musical repertoire to include a variety of contemporary genres and styles. She provides lessons in viola, cello, and bass, tailored to fit each individual student and their unique interests and needs.
QLIVIA is a cello-fronted rock band lead by Olivia Quintanilla that range from pop to psychedelic rock and even some reinvented classical melodies. Qlivia showcases original songwriting and playful energy in this new solo project alongside Ned Barclay (Dead Larry, Elour) on electric bass and Trevor James Marrin (Tin Can Gin) on drums. Audience members will find themselves dancing to the beat saying to each other “I didn’t know a cello could sound like THAT!”
Useful Jenkins is a contemporary acoustic band with a bluegrass foundation. They use their grass-roots to readily tap into other genres such as folk, funk, rock, and hip hop. Olivia Quintanilla joined Useful Jenkins in August 2015. Learn more and follow updates at www.UsefulJenkins.com
Useful Jenkins is one of those bands that are even better live than they are on recording. Luckily, we got them in the studio to lay down an awesome, energetic performance of their new song, "Looking Back". Bard Sessions is a live music series that was created to showcase original songwriting talent in an intimate environment.
Release date: 5/23/2017 Video credit: Variant Productions Engineer: Corey Hess @ Cedar Tone Sound Musical credit: Pat Forsyth, Chuck Boeke, Olivia Quintanilla, Karen Kozak, Nick Spielman www.usefuljenkins.com
Song - "Sounds Of Sunlight" Artist - Big Zach & Olivia Quintanilla Producer - Big Jess Flow Artists - Audra Lewis & Brittany Anne Makeup - Kelsey Schweikert ...
Produced by Mike The Martyr Featuring Karen Kozak & Olivia Quintanilla of Useful Jenkins Special Thanks to the Yoga & Hula Hoop Flow Artists that were involved in making the video. Also a very special thanks to Radiant Life Yoga as well for allowing us use of the facility.
This is What I live for
Quintanilla's work as a modern cellist and collaborator allows her to explore her own musicianship and virtuosity by going outside the box of the traditional concepts of acoustic cello playing.
Olivia Quintanilla is a Twin Cities based cellist, composer and teacher. She takes her classical training to a modern stage to create a unique and progressive musical style. With a hand in over a dozen musical groups - from hard rock to classic symphony - Quintanilla has quickly become synonymous with the progression of modern cello composition and performance.
Olivia began her journey as a musician at age 7 - taking Saturday lessons in Milwaukee, WI with the Magnificent Performing Strings. The first instrument she chose was the violin. After four years she moved her attention toward the cello, and fell in love with its rich unique sound.
It was with the cello that she found her passion, and received a full scholarship for lessons with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Principal Cellist - Scott Tisdel. She continued to keep music her educational focus by attending Milwaukee High School of the Arts (2004-2008) and becoming a member of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (2003-2008).
Olivia Quintanilla playing cello at the Great Wall of China 2007
She was accepted into Lawrence University’s Music Program where she continued her studies of cello performance under Prof. Janet Anthony. Within those years at University she grew into an experienced performer, focusing on classical and modern repertoire. Her studies of jazz were led under the guidance of the late Prof. Fred Sturm, Prof. Mark Urness (Bass), and Prof. Jose Encarnacion (saxophone) and Prof. Matt Turner (cello). Olivia graduated from Lawrence University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music.
Olivia relocated to the Twin Cities in 2012, and has been involved in many modern musical endeavors since. Of these projects the most prominent being Useful Jenkins; a contemporary acoustic band with roots firmly embedded in bluegrass. She also lends her talents to a Twin Cities new alternative rock band, IronStar. Her unique playing style and fierce live performance always brings her to the forefront of any group she plays with.
In addition to her vibrant performance career, Quintanilla continues to hone her musical skills as a private music teacher, specializing in cello and violin lessons to students of all ages, with an emphasis on beginner and intermediate studies.
Little Star (2012-2015)
Blas Mala (2014-2016)
Useful Jenkins (2015- present)
Smokin Joe (2016-present)
Lenz and Frenz (2018- present)
Burbillies (2018-present)
Monsters of Grass (2019)
IronStar (2019-2022)
Brotherhood of Birds ( 2022 - Present)
Mountain Fern (2023- present)
Qlivia (2023- Present)
Olivia Quintanilla
Miss Olivia Quintanilla’s Lesson Studio
324 Main St, Ste 240
Stillwater, MN 55082
Qliviastrings@gmail.com
952-463-7325
Please use the form below for booking inquiries or email us at qliviastrings@gmail.com.
If you are looking to sign up for lessons, please use the Lesson Registration Form.
Thank you!
