May Teacher Spotlight: Marissa Keener
Marissa Keener joined the Arts+ violin faculty in 2014 and became the Suzuki Coordinator for Arts+ in 2017. She is registered for Every Child Can! and Violin Books 1-10 with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and completed her training with Joanne Bath, Edward Kreitman, and Liz Arbus. In addition to private lesson teaching, Marissa has taught at several public school Suzuki outreach programs in Greenville, Bath, and Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra.
At age five, Marissa began studying violin as a Suzuki student and went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Miami University of Ohio in 2012. She holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from East Carolina University (2014).
In addition to teaching, Marissa is a versatile performer and currently serves as the principal second violinist of the Union Symphony Orchestra. She has performed at many prominent summer festivals, including the Meadowmount School of Music, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and Sewanee Summer Music Festival, among others. Marissa was invited to perform with the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival's Next Generation Concert series and toured with the Next Gen on the Road series.
Marissa is a certified Teaching Member of Alexander Technique International and applies this practice to her private and group violin lessons. She has a special interest in teaching children with exceptionalities and fostering the love of music in every child. In her spare time, Marissa enjoys reading, hiking, and baking with lots of chocolate.
Marissa first heard about the Baroque Violin Shop through friends in Knoxville!
Can you tell me about your school’s orchestra program?
Arts+ is a Charlotte, NC nonprofit specializing in visual art and music whose goal is to make outstanding arts education available to students of all ages, skill levels and socioeconomic backgrounds. From private lessons to summer camps to community outreach programs, we strive to help each student unlock their full potential through the power of arts education. Our Suzuki Program which I am the coordinator of started out as a group of Suzuki teachers wanting to do group classes together and grew into the largest Suzuki Program in Charlotte!
What instruments do you play/teach?
I play and teach Suzuki violin and viola as well as the Alexander Technique.
How did your career in music get started?
I always loved teaching and so after graduating with a degree in violin performance from Miami University, I knew that I wanted to teach and chose to get my Masters focusing on the Suzuki Method; I haven’t looked back since!
What’s your favorite song to play?
I always come back to the Bach Sonatas and Partitas – such a classic, but I always enjoy the challenge of revisiting these.
What are some of your other hobbies?
My main hobby is baking! I love to tackle complicated and time-consuming new recipes, baking bread, and decorating cakes and cookies. Some recent hobbies that I’ve enjoyed during the pandemic have been cross stitch and gardening as well as hanging out with my cat Zip and new kitten, Leroy.
What has been your favorite moment as a teacher?
My favorite recent moment was having our first in-person outdoor event in over a year since the pandemic began. It was so fun to see families reconnect and make music together. Playing together onstage was a great reminder of how music has that special ability to connect people from all walks of life!
What do you find to be the best motivator for students?
Best motivator for students? Depends on the student! Some are super goal oriented and having something to work towards like a concert or recital always helps. Success inspires more success so celebrating the small achievements is so helpful for many students.
What are your future goals as a musician and teacher?
My future goals include continuing to grow my program as well as working towards creating a more diverse and inclusive Suzuki community, in Charlotte and beyond.
Summer is almost here! Anything fun and excited planned?
I am looking forward to this summer when I plan to travel to Scotland and Wales to visit my Welsh boyfriend’s family!