Unlike the flute the cello is not an easy instrument to lug around. However for junior Matthew Heenan who has played the cello for almost 10 years the extra weight is worth the heavy load. Growing up in Las Vegas Heenan attended the Las Vegas Academy a special high school for the arts which eventually led him to attend Pepperdine not only for the view but also for the music program. In addition to in the practice rooms Matthew can be heard playing first-chair with the Pepperdine orchestra and string quartet.
Graphic: So Matthew I hear you’re “crazy good” at the cello. Heenan: Yeah I guess you could say that.
How long have you been playing the cello? It was in the 6th grade and I had to pick an instrument to play. I did it because my older friend played it. I turned out to be pretty good at it but he quit the next year.
Well you showed him. Yeah. Then I went to a performing arts school and performed all over the world.
Where did you travel to perform? I went to Rome when I was 16 to a summer camp for about two months and performed. I played in big conferences all over Italy.
So for those of us who aren’t too familiar with the cello if it was the love-child of two instruments what would they be? [Laughs] It would probably have to be the viola and the bass. The bass is big and the viola has the strings of a cello.
What is your favorite cello memory? It’s so hard I have so many performing experiences. Honestly though it’s just sitting in chamber class with three of my closest friends and having a good time and playing music.
What can you do with a cello besides play it? Well I guess you could have a nice bonfire. Lay it down light a match and there’s a bonfire. A viola would probably burn better though.
Besides playing the cello what else do you enjoy doing? Nothing too crazy. I got my sailing license last summer and have been a few times since then. I really like it.
What are you going to be for Halloween Matthew? I actually don’t know. I have a construction worker’s hat. I’m actually a little scared about that.
