About Marnie Thies, Twin Cities Violin Instructor
I have been teaching violin since 2004 and online since 2014.
My interest in the violin began when my kindergarten class studied the letter ‘v’ and my teacher’s son played the violin. My teacher asked if anybody wanted to learn to play the violin and I raised my hand. Shortly after that, I began violin lessons.
To learn what I offer as a violin teacher for children and adults, see Why Take Suzuki Violin Lessons From Me?
Violin Teacher Mary West & Me
During high school, I studied with the legendary Mary West, the emeritus professor of violin at the University of Minnesota, with a 50-year violin teaching career. The biggest impression Mary made on me was that no aspect of violin technique should be neglected. That lesson has stayed with me, and I emphasize proper technique with my students at every stage of their learning.
My Interest in Teaching
My interest in teaching the violin began during my first year of graduate school while pursuing my Masters Degree in Violin Performance from DePaul University. I believe that studying music teaches work ethic, persistence and discipline which can help students be successful in life.
I have taught using the Suzuki method since 2002. From 2005 through 2019, I traveled to the Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to refine my teaching skills and get new ideas for teaching. In particular, I look for various ways to teach the same thing. This is important because students learn differently. I like the challenge of finding the optimal teaching tools for every student.
I enjoy working with students five years of age and older as well as adults. I encourage auditions and competitions when they fit a student’s personal goals, but my main focus is helping students build a strong foundation, confidence, and a lasting connection to music.
Student Honors & Achievements
Many of my students have gone on to accomplish exciting musical milestones, including:
My Violin Teaching Method
It should be noted that I am not the typical Suzuki violin teacher because I introduce note reading as soon as the student is ready. It is rewarding for the student when they learn a piece by reading music without the aid of a teacher. Being able to play from sheet music helps the student progress at a faster rate. In a youth orchestra audition, students are asked to sight read. For this reason, I like to incorporate note reading in each lesson as part of the students’ music education.
During my early study of the violin, I had developed a faulty technique which took years to correct. For that reason I highly stress proper technique for my students in all stages of study.
The Suzuki method of teaching does an excellent job of developing a student’s ear. Learning to play the violin without sheet music can be rewarding to a beginning student because they can play music they have heard. Other genres of music, such as the fiddle piece, Misty Moonlight Waltz, can be played by ear.
A chief component of the Suzuki method is parental involvement. I have observed that when student’s parents, both musical and non-musical, coach their child’s practice at home, musical progress is greater. In a typical lesson, I demonstrate to both students and parents how to practice and what technical aspect should be practiced at home. Knowing how to practice is an important part of a violin student’s music education so they can reap the rewards of practicing.
Who I Teach
I enjoy working with students five years of age and older as well as adults.
My Teaching Philosophy
My interest in teaching the violin began during my first year of graduate school while pursuing my Masters Degree in Violin Performance from DePaul University. I believe that studying music teaches work ethic, persistence and discipline which can help students be successful in life.
My Suzuki Training
I have taught using the Suzuki method since 2004. From 2005 through 2019, I traveled to the Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to refine my teaching skills and get new ideas for teaching. In particular, I look for various ways to teach the same thing. This is important because students learn differently. I like the challenge of finding the optimal teaching tools for every student.
I enjoy working with students five years of age and older as well as adults. I encourage auditions and competitions when they fit a student’s personal goals, but my main focus is helping students build a strong foundation, confidence, and a lasting connection to music.
Student Honors & Achievements
Many of my students have gone on to accomplish exciting musical milestones, including:
Marnie Thies Resume and Professional Background
Master’s Degree
Violin Performance from DePaul University, Chicago, June 2004
Bachelor’s Degree
Violin Performance from University of Wisconsin, Madison, December 2001
Private Violin Lessons
Professor Emeritus Mary West, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
MacPhail Center for Music, 4 years Sue Anderson, 8 years
Suzuki Teacher Trained in the following books:
- Books 1-3 with Ed Kreitman and Nancy Lokken
- Book 2 with Ann Montzka-Smelser
- Books 4-5 with Nancy Lokken
- Books 4-5 with Nancy Jackson
- Book 6 with Alice Joy Lewis
- Book 7 with Nancy Jackson, Ann Montza-Smelser and Carol Dallinger
- Book 8 With Nancy Jackson
- Books 9-10 with Carol Dallinger and Ann Montza-Smelser
Supplementary Training: Violin Development of Technique and Musicianship Across the Suzuki Repertoire, Violin Before the Mozarts, Development of Violin Bowing Technique in Twinkles to Eccles and Developing Tone Color Throughout the Repertoire for Violin with Alice Joy Lewis and Overview of Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas with Brian Lewis
In-person lessons:
Falcon Heights — Mondays
North Oaks — Tuesdays
Mounds View — Thursdays
Online violin lessons:
Available for students outside the area or those who prefer online lessons, with online teaching experience dating back to 2014.