Marissa's Music Studio
Lesson Format Options
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In-Person (hybrid): Students enrolled in in-person private lessons will meet face-to-face with the instructor. If the student or instructor is feeling unwell or travelling, online lessons will be offered in place of the face-to-face meeting. Due to the instructor’s professional engagements, students can expect about 10-20% of their lessons to be online. These occasional online lessons will give the instructor the opportunity to see the student’s at home setup and gauge which practice strategies will be most effective for efficient learning. In-person lessons will take place in Marissa's home in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. Contact Marissa for more details.
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100% Online: Students who wish to enroll in online lessons must have at least 6 months of lessons (with Marissa or another instructor) in order to ensure that fundamentals of piano playing are in place. Online lessons are ideal for students who have limited travel time, have difficulty finding transportation, live a considerable distance from the studio, or prefer the consistency of a single lesson format. Contact Marissa for more details.
Enrollment Types
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Studio Membership: Students will be charged a standard monthly fee which includes one weekly private lesson and all required materials. Tuition remains the same every month regardless of the number of weeks per month. Students who pay for the entire year (11 months) up front will receive a 10% discount. Contact Marissa for information about pricing.
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A La Carte Lesson Packages: Students will purchase a set number of lessons up front which can be scheduled in advance. This type of membership is ideal for adults or students with busy schedules which may not accommodate weekly lessons. Students will not be locked into a weekly lesson time and may adjust the regularity of their lessons as needed. Contact Marissa for information about pricing.
Marissa the Pedagogue
Marissa has been teaching music in a variety of settings since 2013 when she took her first pedagogy course at Interlochen Arts Camp. Since that time, she has worked with countless students of all ages and abilities in both individual and group capacities at the pre-college and collegiate level. Marissa prides herself on meeting students where they are and giving them the tools be successful in their musical pursuits whether those be a professional music career, a fun hobby, or something in-between.
Having completed her academic coursework in pedagogy, Marissa continues to grow as a teacher through professional development opportunities. An active member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Marissa has presented at numerous conferences including the Ohio Music Teachers Association State Conference and the MTNA Collegiate Pedagogy Symposium. She served on the Symposium planning committee from 2020–2022 and served as chair for the 2022 Virtual Symposium.
Reviews
"As an adult piano student, finding a good teacher can be very difficult. I tried several over the years. So, I was fortunate to find Marissa. She used her education and experience to challenge me to improve and advance while enjoying the piano again. I highly recommend her for all student ages. I’m glad to have had this opportunity to know and learn from Marissa. I wish her much future success." ~ Sharon
"My daughter (now 15) took piano lessons with Marissa for 3 years (and only stopped because Marissa moved). We *absolutely adore* Marissa: she is an exceptional teacher and person. She consistently inspired my daughter and positively impacted her, both musically and personally. Marissa is a consummate professional and also incredibly approachable, responsive, and understanding ~ a true gem!" ~ Rebecca
"Marissa has been a fantastic teacher for my piano lessons. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and is able to give very actionable advice and coaching. She is warm and friendly in her lessons but takes her job very seriously and puts the success of her students first." ~ Caroline
"Marissa is an amazing teacher. She doesn’t just understand how to play, she understands what each student needs and gives them useful strategies to help them succeed. I improved so much under her tutelage in just a short amount of time as a beginner, and I recommend her to anyone!" ~ Jacquelynn
"She has helped me try different genres of music, appreciating the different styles. She is a wealth of information, not only
teaching technique and theory but adds life to my playing and teaching how to perform the pieces. Always kind and always
positive. I am excited to see what new pieces, she will think of next." ~ Dixie