Marissa Swanson Ferro 310-926-8328 marissaferro@gmail.com

PRIVATE STUDIO TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

2010-2013       Violin and Viola Instructor – Denver/Boulder, CO

 

• On faculty for private & group lessons at the following music schools & centers:
  
  

                                                Parlando School for the Arts – Boulder, CO

                                                Forte Academy of Music – Littleton, CO

                                                Music & Arts – Englewood, CO

• Home Studio – Littleton, CO
  
  
• Certified Violin & Viola Instructor for Suzuki Books 1-4
  
  
• Instructed students in viola and violin performance and theory
  
  
• Coached intermediate and advanced level quartets and other small groups
  
  
• Taught beginning through advanced levels, ages 3 through adult, both in individual and semi-private settings, using traditional and Suzuki methods
  
  
• All intermediate and advanced students were awarded first stand seats in their respective school and youth orchestras in 2013-14 school year
  
  

 

2004-2010       Viola and Violin Instructor – Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

 

• Grew and maintained a yearly studio size of over 35 students
  
  
• Instructed students in viola and violin performance and theory
  
  
• Taught beginning through advanced levels, ages 3 through adult, both in individual and semi-private settings, using traditional and Suzuki methods
  
  
• Adapted teaching style for students with disabilities, such as Asberger Syndrome
  
  
• Strove to understand cultural similarities & differences to better the student-teacher-parent interaction
  
  

• Organized annual private studio recitals and receptions
  
  
• Prepared students for professional & school orchestra auditions, performance tests, and summer music festivals
  
  
• Students have been awarded seats within the first 4 chairs of each orchestra in the Palos Verdes Peninsula middle & high school orchestras
  
   
  
  2001-2002       Teaching Assistant - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  
   
  
  

• Contributed constructive comments and demonstrated skill and artistry on the viola during master classes for Viola Professor
  
  
• Gave additional lessons and critique to students
  
  

 

Summer 2002  Teacher/Counselor - Eagle Bluff Chamber Music Camp, Lanesboro, MN

 

• Coached string quartets and taught private viola lessons
  
  
• Supervised junior and senior high school students in group activities
  
   
  
   
  
  2000-2001       Teaching Assistant - University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  
   
  
  

• Taught beginning viola to both non-music and music majors
  
  
• Administered grades and performance evaluations
  
  

  PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE   2010-2013       String Teacher – Chaparral Elementary Instrumental Music, Parker, CO

 

• Taught 4th-6th grade string classes (violin, viola, cello, bass) in beginning and intermediate levels at three DCSD elementary schools
  
  
• Organized concerts and assemblies with band teacher
  
  
• Rehearsed and conducted large string orchestra groups at feeder area festivals and concerts
  
  
• Created curriculum and lesson plans
  
  
• Communicated with parents about practice tips, assignments, and upcoming events through handouts and regular emails
  
  
• Worked with program director and school administration on scheduling classes, organizing concerts and events, and improving student/teacher relationships
  
  
• Coached advanced string ensemble, taught theory, and mentored students at CHEIM summer music program for the past two summers
  
   
  
  2007-2010       String Teacher – Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, CA
  
   
  
  

• Instructed string students at five elementary schools
  
  
• Taught 4th-5th grade string classes (violin, viola, cello, bass)
  
  
• Conducted 4th-5th grade string ensembles and orchestras
  
  
• Recognized as the only string teacher to maintain and/or increase class sizes for incoming 5th graders, and have an increase in number of 4th grade students for
  
         2009-10 school year
  
  
• Created arrangements based on instrumentation and students’ level of playing
  
  
• Organized semi-annual performances for students’ peers and family
  
  
• Promoted the violin, viola, cello, and bass  through playing & demonstration at 4th-5th grade instrumental recruitment events
  
  
• Created curriculum, lesson plans, homework assignment handouts
  
  
• Administered performance evaluations and grades for each trimester
  
  
• Worked with music team to coordinate concerts, improve classroom management policies, communicate with parents, and develop curriculum
  
   
  
  2004-2010       Group Violin Instructor – AMUSE Music Center, Inc., Palos Verdes, CA
  
   
  
  

• Created lesson plans/curriculum using Suzuki and traditional methods
  
  
• Taught 3 levels of prep violin to ages 3-7, and 3 levels of violin for ages 8-12
  
  
• Enabled parents to actively participate in classes so they can encourage and help their child practice well at home
  
  
• Educated parents about Suzuki method and philosophy
  
  
• Created practice charts to improve student and parent accountability
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  2005-2007       String Teacher – Rolling Hills Country Day School, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
  
   
  
  

• Taught group Suzuki violin classes for 1st-4th grades (as many as 16 students in one class)
  
  
• Coached small ensembles
  
  
• Taught beginning/intermediate violin, viola and cello for 5th-8th grades using a traditional method book (Essential Elements for Strings)
  
  
• Organized semi-annual performances for students’ peers and family
  
  
• Administered performance evaluations and grades for each trimester
  
  
• Designed classroom behavior and discipline procedures for each grade level
  
  

  EDUCATION  

2012-2013       Suzuki Teacher Training with William Starr:  Books 1-4, Boulder, CO

                                   

1999-2001       University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Graduate studies in Viola Performance, pursued MM degree

• Student of Donald McInnes and Ralph Fielding
  
  
• Recipient of full-tuition scholarship
  
  
• Coursework included chamber music, orchestral excerpt preparation, orchestral conducting, chamber music, theory, and history
  
  

 

1995-1999       University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance

• Student of Korey Konkol
  
  
• Recipient of Zelle Scholar full-tuition and Ted Mann Musician Scholarships
  
  
• Member of Dean’s list
  
  
• Student member of Orchestral Director search committee
  
  
• Coursework included chamber music, conducting, piano, music theory and history, writing, and linguistics
  
  

 

1995-1996       Post-Secondary Education, Senior Year of High School, U of MN

 

PRINCIPAL TEACHERS

 

VIOLA-

Donald McInnes

Ralph Fielding

Korey Konkol

Heidi Castleman

Linda Rose

Victoria Chiang

Dr. Jerzy Kozmala

 

VIOLIN-

Cheryl Minor Stewart

Cynthia Finks

Linda Cerone

 

 

CHAMBER MUSIC-

Kevin Fitz-Gerald (piano, USC)

Lydia Artymiw (piano, U of MN)

Peter Howard (former principal cellist, SPCO)

Jorja Fleezanis (concertmaster, Minnesota Orch.)

Sally O’Reilly (Violin Professor, U of MN)

 

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

           

• Soloist with Dakota Valley Civic Orchestra, Saint Paul Civic Orchestra, and University of Minnesota Symphony, Minnesota Youth Symphonies-Symphony Orchestra
  
  
• Principal violist, USC Chamber Symphony
  
  
• Principal violist, University of Minnesota Orchestra
  
  
• Principal violist, Ariadne auf Naxos, Aspen Music Festival Opera Orchestra, 1999
  
  
• Violist, Miss Saigon, Ordway Music Theater, St. Paul, MN, 1998
  
  
• Section Violist, Aspen Chamber Symphony, 1998 & 1999
  
  
• Section Violist, Aspen Festival Orchestra, 1997
  
  
• Substitute Violist, New World Symphony, 1997-98
  
  
• Principal Violist, World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Festival, 1996
  
  

• Violist for Prairie Home Companion broadcast from Interlochen Arts Festival, 1996
  
  

• Principal & Section Violist, Minnesota Youth Symphonies - Symphony, 1994-96
  
  

• SOLO RECITALS:  
  
  Violin & Viola, Sophomore Year of High School, 1994
  
  Viola, Senior Year of High School, 1996
  
  Viola, Junior Recital, University of Minnesota, 1998
  
  Viola, Senior Recital, University of Minnesota, 1999
  
  
• Performed in various other student recitals (solo & chamber) at USC and U of MN
  
  
• Freelance work including studio recording experience in Minneapolis and Los Angeles
  
  

 

COMPETITIONS/AWARDS/HONORS

 

• First Place - Chicago Viola Society Competition, 1998
  
  
• Second Place - WAMSO Young Artist Competition, 1999
  
  
• Fellowship recipient - Aspen Music Festival, 1997-99
  
  
• Concerto Competition Winner, University of Minnesota, 1998
  
  
• Solo Competition Winner, Minnesota Youth Symphonies, 1996
  
  
• Thursday Musical Young Artist Competition, Minneapolis, MN:
  
  1998-1st Place, College Level Strings
  
  1996-2nd Place, High School Level Strings
  
  
• Schubert Club Scholarship Competition, St. Paul, MN:
  
  1999-1st Prize, College/Graduate Strings
  
  1998-2nd Prize, College/Graduate Strings
  
   
  
  AFFILIATIONS
  
   
  
  
• Member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas
  
  
• Member of the American Viola Society and Rocky Mountain Viola Society