Marissa Ferro began her musical studies on the violin at the age of three. Her mother had taken her to a student violin recital, and after hearing them play, Marissa said “I want to do that!” Marissa then began violin lessons with Toyo Lang, a Suzuki violin teacher in Minneapolis, MN. She started playing the viola at age 10 as a chamber and string orchestra musician (while violin remained her primary solo instrument), and later performed a solo recital on both instruments at the age of 16. After high school, she decided to focus on Viola Performance, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota, and continued her graduate studies at the University of Southern California.
Before moving to Johnston, IA, Marissa enjoyed teaching both violin and viola to students of all ages and abilities in the Palos Verdes Peninsula (just south of Los Angeles), Denver, Boulder, and Minneapolis metro. She had the privilege of doing her Suzuki teacher training with William Starr in Boulder, CO. Marissa now teaches in the Des Moines area, as well as at her home studio in Johnston, using both Suzuki and traditional methods. In addition to her private studio, she has over 12 years of experience teaching small and large group string classes and ensembles in public and private schools.
Marissa’s extensive performing experience includes solo appearances with orchestras, principal viola positions, chamber music recitals and competitions, and solo recitals. A prize-winner in numerous competitions, she was also a fellowship recipient of the Aspen Music Festival. Marissa’s principal teachers and chamber music coaches have included Korey Konkol, Donald McInnes, Ralph Fielding, Heidi Castleman, Cheryl Minor Stewart, William Starr, Lydia Artymiw, Peter Howard, and Jorja Fleezanis.
She is currently a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and is certified for violin and viola books 1-4.
Before moving to Johnston, IA, Marissa enjoyed teaching both violin and viola to students of all ages and abilities in the Palos Verdes Peninsula (just south of Los Angeles), Denver, Boulder, and Minneapolis metro. She had the privilege of doing her Suzuki teacher training with William Starr in Boulder, CO. Marissa now teaches in the Des Moines area, as well as at her home studio in Johnston, using both Suzuki and traditional methods. In addition to her private studio, she has over 12 years of experience teaching small and large group string classes and ensembles in public and private schools.
Marissa’s extensive performing experience includes solo appearances with orchestras, principal viola positions, chamber music recitals and competitions, and solo recitals. A prize-winner in numerous competitions, she was also a fellowship recipient of the Aspen Music Festival. Marissa’s principal teachers and chamber music coaches have included Korey Konkol, Donald McInnes, Ralph Fielding, Heidi Castleman, Cheryl Minor Stewart, William Starr, Lydia Artymiw, Peter Howard, and Jorja Fleezanis.
She is currently a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and is certified for violin and viola books 1-4.