I have studied double bass with Douglas Nestler for a year and a half. As a retired adult student, I had previously studied piano, guitar and electric bass, but was fairly new to the upright bass and quite new to the bow. The extent of my double bass experience was limited to playing pizzicato in a church ensemble, and I was struggling.
From our first meeting, I found Doug to be warm and personable, and a thoughtful, inspiring teacher. His standards are very high - I don't get away with anything - but he is always kind and encouraging.
It is humbling, as an adult, to find oneself on a very steep learning curve, particularly with learning to use the bow. Doug has always stressed the importance of accepting my ability wherever it is at the moment, and to understand that learning to play this large, ungainly, impossibly beautiful instrument is difficult and takes time. Doug is endlessly patient, offering a variety of approaches for things I might be struggling with. He points out whatever progress I might be making, even when I have sounded very rough, and as a result I always want to try harder and improve. I remember very fondly the first time he used the word "beautiful" when I played a Suzuki Book 2 piece - he does not toss this word about casually - and I floated for days.
Doug will often play passages or pieces for me, even letting me videotape him, so I have an example of how the piece should sound and have a reference for fingerings, tempo, and dynamics. This has been so very helpful.
Last fall, Doug encouraged me to join the Cincinnati Community Orchestra, in which he has served as principal bassist for several years. This is a highly regarded orchestra in Cincinnati and I couldn't fathom that he thought I could ever play at that level. But he encouraged me anyway, saying that it would be a great learning opportunity, and that I could simplify some of the more difficult passages of music while continuing to improveI can now say that this has been life-changing, and that the orchestra's Monday night rehearsals are the best part of my week. It was a bit like jumping in the pool at the deep end, but several people have told me how much my playing has improved since joining. Being able to be part of creating such beautiful music is a dream come true, and being surrounded by such skilled players is very inspiring.
Classical music is my favorite genre, and being able to play in the bass section under Doug's leadership continues to teach me so much. As principal bassist, Doug leads by example, always playing with mastery, and giving us necessary divisi and bowing guidance without micromanaging. He is always full of good cheer and gentle camaraderie, and as a result, we enjoy playing together. Ours is a tight-knit section, very much in thanks to Doug.
I am saddened to see Doug leaving the Cincinnati area, but am very excited for him, his wife Jemma, and their two dear children as they relocate to North Carolina. He has offered to continue our lessons via Zoom, and I am very happy and relieved that he will still be my teacher. I am proud to call Doug my teacher and my friend. He has changed the course of my life and, with the orchestra, given me something to strive for in Act 3 of my life. I am very grateful to him.
This spring, Doug was the featured soloist for our March concert, playing the Koussevitsky Bass Concerto with the orchestra. He did such a beautiful job, receiving a standing ovation, and all of us in his section were so inspired by his performance.

- Amy