Marnie Thies of Marnie Thies Violin Lessons is a professional full time Suzuki violin instructor who has been teaching since 2004. Marnie’s passion for the violin began in kindergarten when her teacher’s son performed on the violin. When her teacher asked if anyone wanted to learn, Marnie raised her hand, and soon after, she began violin lessons. Marnie has since followed her passion, earning a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance from DePaul University and completed extensive training in all ten books of the Suzuki Method. She has spent 15 summers taking teacher training classes at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Marnie takes pride in working with students from five years and older to adults, across all ability levels. She specializes in introducing classical music concepts while tailoring repertoire to inspire each student’s musical and technical growth. Marnie Thies Violin Lessons focuses on technique-building exercises such as scales, arpeggios, etudes, and challenging pieces, while prioritizing musical expression along with technical skill. She believes this approach leads to results in both the short term and the long term.
Marnie has been preparing her students for a variety of youth symphony organizations, including the Minnesota Youth Symphonies and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. Marnie encourages her students to send videos of what they are practicing throughout the week so she can assess their progress and provide customized guidance on how to improve their playing. Marnie is an engaging, caring instructor with a passion for music that translates directly into her teaching style.
Due to the rise of remote learning during Covid-19, Marnie now offers online lessons, enabling students worldwide to study with her. Whether it’s online or in-person, Marnie can help you take your violin playing to the next level.
Marnie’s knowledge and dedicated passion toward music education make her an ideal violin teacher for online or face-to-face lessons. She strives to understand each student’s goals, skill level, and enthusiasm to tailor every lesson to the individual. Her key focus on inspiring new players makes her a mentor who truly cares about fostering skill development and encouraging growth in every student she takes on. Marnie aims to make the most of each tutorial she offers on her Marnie Thies Violin Lessons YouTube channel by focusing efforts where students need it most.
Marnie Thies sees musical study as more than reading the notes on a page; it’s an opportunity to learn the skills that will help you excel in any area of life. As a Suzuki violin instructor, she passionately promotes the virtues of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to achieving success through practice.
Seeing these invaluable qualities in her students has been incredibly rewarding, reinforcing the idea that their commitment to musical excellence will positively impact all areas of their lives.
Marnie currently provides Suzuki violin lessons in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving nearby communities such as Falcon Heights and North Oaks. Located near Minneapolis, she also teaches students online. Her online violin lessons page on proviolin.com highlights the progress of a student who learned vibrato exclusively through virtual instruction with Marnie as their sole instructor. Marnie is exploring opportunities to expand her teaching locations to Blaine, Coon Rapids, or another area in Anoka County. To inquire about lessons, call 763-413-4791.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I’m a night owl, so I do my most productive work late in the evening. This routine works well, especially since I teach violin in the afternoons and evenings. I focus best when things are quiet, and I often play YouTube videos in the background to keep online work from feeling too monotonous.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When it comes to teaching violin, I bring ideas to life by breaking them down into small, manageable steps. I take a concept or technique and find a simple way to apply it in a lesson. This approach helps students stay engaged and makes progress more achievable. It’s a process that usually works well.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited by the continued growth of online learning, especially in music education. Online violin lessons, also offered at Marnie Thies Violin Lessons make learning more accessible and convenient for both students and teachers. I teach advanced techniques like vibrato, spiccato, sautillé, and ricochet, along with violin positions from 1st through 7th and three-octave major and minor scales, all through online formats.
To support this, I created a YouTube channel called Marnie Thies Violin Lessons, where I demonstrate how to play scales and arpeggios step by step. Each video begins with an explanation and ends with a full play-through. My students often tell me that these videos help them understand the material more clearly. Referring them to my channel saves lesson time and gives them a stronger foundation before we work through the scales and arpeggios during lessons.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I break my work into chunks. I focus on a task, then take a short break to do something enjoyable, and return to the work afterward. Giving myself a mental break helps me come back with a fresher mind and better focus.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be direct and clear in communication so that everyone understands each other and stays on the same page.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
I wasn’t a fan of the movie Titanic. In my opinion, it felt a bit too long.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I’m always looking for ways to grow my business and refine my teaching methods to better support different learning needs.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I make a list of tasks I need to complete and check them off as I go. Seeing my progress helps me stay motivated and gives me a sense of control when things feel overwhelming.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Spending 15 summers at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was a key strategy in my professional growth. There, I deepened my knowledge of violin teaching techniques and learned to approach instruction from multiple perspectives. This experience helped me develop a more versatile and effective teaching style, which has been invaluable in attracting and retaining students, especially in my in-person and online violin lessons at Marnie Thies Violin Lessons.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I realized I didn’t have a strong understanding of human psychology, which made it challenging to connect with and teach students from diverse backgrounds. To overcome this, I started researching and learning about different learning styles and personalities online. This ongoing effort has helped me better tailor my teaching approach to each student’s needs, making our lessons more effective and rewarding.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Never stop learning. By constantly expanding your knowledge and teaching techniques, you can present the same concept in multiple ways. This is crucial because everyone learns differently, and adapting your approach helps you reach more people effectively.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use speechtexter.com, which lets me speak into my computer and converts my words into text. It helps me write faster and maintain the flow of my ideas without interruption.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I’m not much of a reader, but I really enjoy watching Michael Bordenaro on YouTube. He’s straightforward and doesn’t mince words when it comes to the real estate industry. I’ve learned a lot from him, especially about buying townhomes and other practical aspects of real estate.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed the series All Creatures Great and Small. I love how calm and grounded it feels. The slower pace, the kindness between the characters, and the beautiful countryside all offer a soothing escape from the busyness of everyday life. It is comforting yet meaningful, showing people doing good work with compassion.
Key learnings
- Adaptability in teaching is essential. Breaking down complex skills into manageable steps and using multiple approaches helps meet different students’ learning styles effectively.
- Continuous learning fuels growth. Ongoing education, such as attending institutes or consulting with peers, sharpens teaching methods and advances career development.
- Online platforms expand access and convenience. Embracing online lessons and supplementary tools like YouTube channels enhances learning opportunities for students and saves lesson time.
- Productivity thrives with clear routines and breaks. Chunking work with enjoyable breaks, making lists, and using helpful tools like speech-to-text software supports focus and motivation.
- Effective communication is crucial. Being direct and clear helps ensure everyone is on the same page, improving relationships with students and colleagues alike.