about Leah Coloff

I’ve been a freelance musician in New York City for over 20 years, performing at venues around the city from Carnegie Hall to Joe’s Pub to Madison Square Garden, with amazing artists such as David Bowie, Trey Anastasio, Blur and Philip Glass. I held the cello chair for Daniel Fish’s Tony Award winning Oklahoma! on Broadway and created and performed the autobiographical song cycle, ThisTree at Prototype 2019, New York City’s annual festival of visionary opera-theatre and music-theatre works. AND, I’ve been playing cello for wedding ceremonies since I was a student at
the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
I have years of experience creating music for special moments.

I take pleasure in helping couples find the perfect music to celebrate their love and style and then beautifully playing these songs for a unique and moving wedding ceremony.

And I am fully vaccinated and boosted!

You can learn more about my work on my website, leahcoloff.com. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you require breaks?
Not during the ceremony! If I’m playing 2 or more hours, a 10 minute break every 50 minutes is standard. Playing music is hard work!

Will you attend the wedding rehearsal?
I don’t usually attend wedding rehearsals. We’ll work out the music in detail and I’m very experienced with the timing of wedding ceremonies.

Do you ever play with amplification?
I have a small amp and I’m happy to use it if the space requires. 

Do we need to meet in person?
I’m happy to meet with you! It can be comforting to meet the musician playing for such an important day. We can also communicate over the phone and with email.

Can you help with the music selection?
Absolutely! We’ll come up with the perfect music together, or you let me know what you love and I will find or create an arrangement.

Do you perform with other instruments?
Yes! I know so many talented musicians, I can put together any ensemble. For example, cello and guitar is a versatile and wonderful wedding ensemble. I also recommend, Violin and cello, flute and cello, String trio, flute trio or string quartet! There are many lovely ensembles utilizing cello.

What's included when I book you for my wedding?

• Unlimited consultation for musical selection

• 20 minutes of prelude music prior to processional

• The wedding party’s processional

• The bride’s processional

• Special selections during your ceremony

• The recessional

• The postlude; 5-10 minutes of music following the recessional

Thinking about the music for your wedding ceremony

Here are some questions that might help…

What’s the emotional tone of your ceremony?
Is it playful and fun? Romantic? Casual and whimsical? Would you like to create a feeling of reverence?

I performed “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” as the processional music for a couple whose love of baseball brought them together- they met at a game. And they got married at home plate!

What’s your vision for the ceremony? 
Are you creating a traditional ceremony? Are you wanting to break the mold? 
Maybe you’re having a traditional western ceremony, but would like to include some aspects of your unique cultural background or personal interests?

A bride requested an arrangement of a traditional Ethiopian piece, creating a special homage to her family heritage.

Is there a special song or songs that you want as part of your ceremony?

It was a traditional Jewish ceremony and the bride knew she wanted Eddie Vedder’s ukulele song, “Longing To Belong” to play as she circled the groom seven times, so I created an arrangement for violin, cello and voice. 

Who is taking part in your ceremony?
How many bridesmaids and groomsmen do you have? Do you want flower girls or a ring bearer?

The ring bearers were the “the hounds of love” - the couple’s two frisky dogs! They were walked down the aisle, rings tied around their necks with big fancy bows, to their very own processional song, of course! 

Who will walk down the aisle? and with whom?
These days there are no rules! There are as many variations as there are families and weddings. 
Will you walk down the aisle with your father or maybe both of your parents? Or another significant person in your life? Maybe you’ll walk down the aisle with your beloved? 

For one wonderful wedding the groom walked down the aisle with his young son and the bride walked down the aisle with her mother. Each pairing had their own special processional song.

Do you want one piece for the entire wedding party or different music for each grouping?

Here’s a few examples of the choices couples have made for their ceremony music:

Katherine & Quin
Processional 1 (Mothers and bridesmaids)
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Processional 2 (Bridal)
Largo from Xerxes (Handel)
Recessional
When You're Smilin’ (Ash/Campling)

Chelsea and AJ
Processional 1 (AJ and Mom, wedding party)
Heartbeats (José González)
Processional 2 (Bridal)
Do You Realize (The Flaming Lips)
Recessional
Stash (Phish)

Is there a special moment during the ceremony that would be enhanced by music?
Some examples are:
lighting of candles
blessing of the rings
a moment of reflection for people unable to be present
or for a loved one that has passed.
before or after a reading, etc.

I played “edelweiss,” the favorite song of the bride’s father as a tribute to him in his absence.

Booking Process

•  Please give me a call at 646.515.4698 or complete the online contact form.  
  I am happy to meet you in person, if possible!
  

• To reserve your date, I have a simple contract for you to sign and return (delivered electronically or post) with a refundable 50% deposit. This helps us both know what to expect and what we’ve agreed on.
  

• 3-4 days before your event I will contact you to finalize event details.

• On the day of the event, I'll arrive at least 30 minutes early to set up and go over any last minute details with your event coordinator and/or officiant.
  

• The remainder of your fee is due the day of the event, immediately following the ceremony.

• If you need to cancel, you will receive a full refund of your deposit up to two weeks before the ceremony date.
  

• Enjoy the music

Prices 

Wedding ceremony:

• within the 5 boroughs of New York: $400.00

• outside of the city: starting $500.00
  depending on travel time. Ask for a quote!

• cocktail hour or pre ceremony: $75.00/hr

Events, parties: $100/hour
Memorial service, life celebration: $200.00

For special  arrangements:
I would be happy to arrange any piece of music for you.  There is a $50. fee per piece arranged. For ensemble arrangements, $50 per instrument. (trio arrangement would be $150 etc.)

vocal and cello arrangements:
I would be delighted to sing a special song accompanying myself on the cello.
The fee for a vocal and cello arrangement is $200.
 
If you would like an ensemble for your wedding
I know so amazing musicians in the New York City area. I can put together a wonderful ensemble!

Some ensemble suggestions:

Duos
Guitar & Cello
Violin & Cello
Flute & Cello
Piano & Cello
Trios
Flute, Violin & Cello
2 violins & Cello 
Violin, Viola & Cello
Guitar, Violin & Cello
Quartet
2 Violins, Viola & Cello
Violin, Flute, Viola, Cello

Please contact me for more information!

Please include the following details in your email:

~ type of event

~ date of event

~ duration of event

Repertoire

This list is only a sample of the wide variety of music that may be appropriate for your special occasion.
I will help you to find just the right music!

Traditional/Classical 

Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied Cello     (Bach)

Suite No. 3 in C Major for unaccompanied Cello     (Bach)

Ave Maria adapted by Gounod    (Bach)

Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata No.208     (Bach)

Jesus, Joy Of Man's Desiring     (Bach)

Air From Suite No.3 in G Major (Bach)

Arioso from Cantata 156 (Bach)

Air in F from The Water Music  (Handel)

Allegro From The Water Music  (Handel)

La Rejouissance from The Royal Fireworks     (Handel)

Largo from Xerxes (Handel)

Hornpipe in D from The Water Music  (Handel)

Trumpet Voluntary in D     (Clarke)

Wedding March     (Mendelssohn)

Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin     (Wagner)

Canon in D     (Pachelbel)

Ave Maria     (Schubert) 

The Swan from Carnival Of The Animals     (Saint-Saens)

Melodie  (Massenet)

Elegy from "The Erynnies"     (Massenet)

Minuet No.2 in G (Beethoven)

Minuet from Divertimento in D K334     (Mozart)

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)

Rondeau from Sinfonies de Fanfares     (Mouret)

Nina     (Pergolese)

Panis Angelicus     (Frank)

Sicilienne     (Faure)

Elegy Op. 24     (Faure)

Apres En Reve (Faure)

Estralita     (Ponce)

Romance (Debussy)

Gymnopedie 1,2,3 (Satie)

Gnoissienne No. 5. (Satie)

American Songbook/Standards

Always  (Berlin)

It Had To Be You  (Jones)

I've Got The World On A String (Arlen)

Over The Rainbow (Harold Arlen)

Manhattan Serenade     (Adamson, Alter)

Isn't It Romantic     (Miller)

Moon River (Henry Mancini)

Our Love Is Here To Stay  (Gershwin)

Embraceable You (Gershwin)

Rose Room (Williams, Hickman)

Blue Moon (Rogers & Hart)

Come Rain Or Come Shine  (Arlen)

Fly Me To The Moon  (Howard)

Honeysuckle Rose (Fats Waller)

Stairway To The Stars     (Parish/Malneck/Signorelli)

Can’t Help Falling In Love (Weiss)

La Vie En Rose (Edith Piaf)

‘Til There Was You (Meredith Wilson)

How High The Moon (Mary Ford)

My Blue Heaven (Donaldson/Whiting)

My Funny Valentine (Rodgers/Hart)

At Last (Gordon/Warren)

Wonderful World (Sam Cooke)

What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

Applause