Steven Doane isn’t just a highly regarded cellist. He is also a sought after teacher, whose master classes and workshops on technique and ergonomics have helped countless musicians.

Two years ago Doane came to Salt Lake City for a weekend of master classes and workshops, as well as a recital. This weekend he will once again be back in town to teach and perform.

Steven Doane

John Eckstein, cellist with the Utah Symphony, is a former student of Doane’s who helped organize his visit two years ago and also this weekend. “We’re all excited to have Steve back here again,” Eckstein said. He added that the technique Doane teaches has helped him immensely. A professional musician can always improve his technique, Eckstein said. “Steve promotes healthy movement in playing and it’s something I’ve incorporated into my own playing.”

The ergonomics class on Saturday is free and open to the public, as is Friday’s master class.

Finishing off the two-day event will be a recital Saturday afternoon. On the program are Schumann’s Five Pieces in Folk Style, op. 102; J.S. Bach’s Suite No. 4 in E flat major for unaccompanied cello; and Barber’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, op. 6. He’ll be accompanied by Utah Symphony pianist Jason Hardink.

The Barber isn’t played as often as it deserves, said Eckstein. “For some reason I never learned it when I was a student of Raya Garbousova, for whom Barber wrote his cello concerto. I studied it with Ralph Kirshbaum in London when I was on sabbatical [from the Utah Symphony]. And although I’ve never performed it, I teach it to my students.”

Eckstein is looking forward to having his former mentor back at the U. “He is a wonderful guy. It’s a joy to be around him. Having him here is also going to be a wonderful opportunity for the students. Bringing in someone of his caliber makes a huge difference for anyone studying the cello, because they can learn a lot from him.”

Here is a schedule of events, all of which take place at the University of Utah and are free of charge and open to the public.

• March 6, 1-4 p.m. – Master Class (Dumke Recital Hall)
• March 7, 12:30-2 p.m. – Technique/Ergonomics Workshop (Libby Gardner Concert Hall)
• March 7, 5-6 p.m. – Recital (Libby Gardner Concert Hall)