I play on my cello for 1 year, I'am 17 years old now and I have got private lessons because I started playing too late...
I so sad because my dream is to go to the music academy or play on string quartet, but... I don't know if I have any chances for that. My teacher said that I play very clean like for 1 year cello playing, that makes me happy. I can work very hard, I also got lessons from ear training. I'am very motivated but sometimes I wonder if I have any rationally chanses to be a professional cellist

I'm pretty sure you could play professionally since it sounds like you're putting your heart into it. But if I could give you a piece of advice it would be to go out and have fun

I had a go at getting redicilously good, but then playing became more of a pain and not so much fun. Honestly, playing "professionally" as in making a living from it is usually underpaid and overworked, to me music is simply a ray of light in my everyday life.

Good luck and enjoy your music and friends.

I started playing French Horn 6 years later than most of the other good horn players I know and I do an okay job at it. I also know of a physics professor at a major science college who picked up an instrument at the age of 42 and auditioned and won a position with the Boston Symphony Orchestra 18 months later.

Play well, play your best. Always enjoy it and always try to make it a little bit better and you will be fine.

Wow, it gives me more strength!
It passed a few days. I worked very hard, that I feel unbelievable happines, then I think I can be professional musician someday. I feel I make progress every week when I have lessons. I love it, from the bottom of my heart. Sometimes I'm angry at myself when I remind that I started so late, so I'm gonna work hard as I do, it's worth it

Hi!
I'm 26 and I started learning to play the cello 3 years ago. I just want to say similar things, like the others. Well, my profession is IT, not physics, and I'm not a professor, just a young researcher, and I've never been invited to any orchestra (although we are organising one for my university), but basically, I'm in a similar situation as JOhnlovemusic.
I also don't plan to be a professional in cello playing, my goal is to be able to play the 5th suite from Bach, and 'til then, let's enjoy it. I like the pieces I play in music school, and I like playing together with my friends in a quartet.

There are very talented people, who became professional in a very short period of time, but that's not the most likely case. And if its not the case for You, it would be very hard for You to take the competition with those, who already play the instrument for 10 years, and also have some talent. Don't misunderstand me, I don't want to embitter You, not at all, and please continue playing the cello with joy! I'm just saying, that You should think about, whether it is really the thing that You'd like to do for the living. Since You started at the age of 16, You'll probably need around 5 years to get to the academy. And then 5 years of learning again. Meaning is, it will be pretty late, when You can get Your first job as a cellist, and if You are not better than those who has 10 years advance on You, You won't be the one getting the best jobs.

Anyway, let me tell You the same as DanielMorgan If You are interested in other things as well, not jut the cello, I'd recommend You to do that for the living, and choose the cello for fun.