About Marie
In 2019, I was honored to be given a Teacher of Distinction Award from the Royal Conservatory of Music during their Convocation ceremony in Toronto, Canada. 2019 was the first year that the Royal Conservatory of Music began bestowing this award to music teachers outside of Canada.
Although I have taught piano for over 35 years, my love for the piano has remained evergreen. I founded The Ivy Piano Studio in Charlottesville in 2010; before that, I taught piano at the Broadway Studio of Musical Arts in Boulder, Colorado, the Boulder Arts Academy, and the Flint School of the Performing Arts. In addition to being a registered Suzuki piano teacher who is fully certified to teach all Suzuki Piano Books (1-7), I am a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music and have adjudicated piano examinations for over a decade across Canada and the United States as a member of the College of Examiners of the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). I personally founded RCM Examination Centers in Boulder, Colorado and Charlottesville, Virginia for the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program. I continue to serve as Center Representative for the RCM Examination Center in Charlottesville since its inception in 2014. Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person RCM examinations returned to Charlottesville in Spring 2023 (remote examinations via Zoom continue to be offered by RCM).
With younger students and beginners, I typically utilize Suzuki Method piano pedagogy and its Piano School Books. Parental involvement during lessons facilitates (a) regular practice at home and (b) accurate, consistent feedback, both of which are required when learning a new motor skill such as the piano. Students are trained in proper piano technique and musicality from the first lesson—no student ever just “plays the notes". Moreover, I have over 25 years' experience training and preparing students who choose to progress through the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program. Intermediate and advanced students who are awarded RCM Gold Medals have the opportunity to perform at a Regional or National Celebration of Excellence. Ultimately, dedicated students may earn the distinction of being awarded a diploma as an Associate of The Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT Diploma).
Prior to moving to Charlottesville, I became a certified Music Together teacher who taught for Music Together of Boulder for nearly 5 years. I have also collaborated with other teachers to travel with a small chamber group of students to perform throughout Europe. Between 2003 and 2006, I performed with the Rocky Mountain Revels, which promotes public education, understanding, and appreciation of traditional music, dance, drama, and ritual through participatory theater and communal celebration.
In Charlottesville, I have sung as a soprano in The Virginia Consort Festival Chorus, served as pianist and vocalist at Christ Episcopal Church, and remain a member of the Wednesday Music Club. I am currently on the board of the Charlottesville Music Teachers Association, as Chair of its annual Youth Student Recital held each November at The Center at Belvedere. I have also provided piano accompaniment for performances by Charlottesville Ballet.
Academically, I studied piano pedagogy with Joyce Adelson and Flavio Verani in the Master's program at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. I was trained in Suzuki piano pedagogy by Mary Craig Powell at The Ohio State University and Capitol University. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Oakland University.