Testimonials

Perhaps the only thing that could equal my joy in playing Solomon was my experience with Anne. I have never met one who is as helpful and passionate about her craft. In spite of her wealth of experience in this field, she comes across as a humble and sincere person, always willingly to try new things and accept comments. Every one of her instruments is an unique individual, whether it be style, the wood, the color, etc. you just can't get enough of it. It is amazing how she's able to work with such a large variety of woods and work them into the style of the instrument, rather than treating the wood just like a mere raw material. I must thank Anne again for sharing her art with me and I am proud to be the owner of one of her beauties.

When I am asked about great makers of cellos who are making instruments today, your name is always near the top of the list. Great sound that is easily accessible and responsive to nuance combined with your own very personal sense of aesthetic[s] which is so attractive. We all enjoy and are nourished by our connections to beauty. Your instruments are such [a] happy play.

Anne's “Yojo Lazuli” violin received constant compliments during my two years at Yale for its lovely rich tone and the stunning beauty of its workmanship. Then, when it helped me win an audition for the Minnesota Orchestra, one member told me, “I was sure that was an Italian fiddle.”

Today she will have her first public (open-air) concert.... Many passages in my score are sounding better now and are easier to play. I appreciate especially that the tone comes at once when playing ppp. Summarizing my feelings: I am deeply contented and happy to own such a great cello. It is a real masterpiece. Thanks a lot to the great artist who created her!

The tone of my viola is so amazing. I was eyeing “The Mouse” but it was a little too long for me when “The Dove” came along. I purchased it with an inheritance from my grandmother, and so it is quite meaningul to me. Actually when I bought it, shortly after her death, I performed in her church and they kind of blessed it! The pastor there is a woman, by the way. So anyway I always feel like all her work saving that money as well as her love and support of me is kicking in when I use that viola. Of course I don't have it with a pickup—I have a $4000 Jucek I have a pickup on, I use the Dove for acoustic settings and recording and the rare classical gig I get to do these days.

I was honored when you agreed to make a viola for me as well, and got my beautiful wolf viola a few years ago. The viola is also an amazing instrument. It is perfect for me, because it is as light as a feather, and feels more like a violin than a viola, with the special narrow neck. And the sound is outstanding. Both instruments draw a lot of attention, because they are so beautiful.

Although I do not play professionally, as I spend my days peering through a microscope defending the human race from pestilence, it is the familiar voice of comfort and beauty that I come home to after work that motivates me more than anything else. Well, except for my children...

I have since moved to New York City. Even though the BAT no longer resides in Austin, it serves as a constant reminder of home. I play it at the Lion King on Broadway, New York Pops, New Jersey Philharmonic, Princeton Symphony,and wherever else they let me. Since I've been here, I've played on Saturday Night Live with Kanye West, The Conan O'Brian Show with U2, and the Today Show with Il Divo. I've recorded many things,including a Mastercard commercial and Clay Aiken's new album.

Everywhere I play, I am complimented on the huge, rich sound of my viola. I love my viola more than life,and it literally has allowed me to live. I've been able to buy two apartments here in New Jersey thanks to my viola playing. My compliments go to Anne Cole!