Welcome to the Cobb Symphony Orchestra (CSO)

Orchestra → Meet the Orchestra → Cheree Mitchem

Cheree Mitchem grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where she participated in several orchestra ensembles and solo competitions. She attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under the influence of her viola teacher, Paula Fishman, who was a core member of the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra. While at the University, she received a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music under her teachers, Masao Kawasaki and Conny Kiradjieff. She also continued her training at the Aspen Music School during the summers and performed with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Middletown Symphony Orchestra and Columbus Symphony Orchestra while attending college in Ohio.

After graduating, Ms. Mitchem moved to Florence, Italy to live for 4 years where she performed regularly with Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, touring Spain in 1997; and GAMS Ensemble in Scandicci. In 1998, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia as a freelance musician and private viola instructor. Since relocating to the Southeast, she has performed with many orchestras such as the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Her dedication to music education has been one of her continuous passions as a violist. In 1997, she instructed private lessons and ensembles at the University of Hamamatsu Medical Symphony Orchestra in Japan. Ms. Mitchem presently teaches private lessons at The Lovett School in Atlanta and Johnson Ferry Conservatory in Marietta, Georgia.