For over two decades, Marnie Thies has supported her students at Marnie Thies Violin
Lessons as they explore their musical paths. With a lifelong passion for music that
began in kindergarten when her teacher’s son performed on the violin, Marnie Thies
enjoys sharing her appreciation for the violin, hoping to create an atmosphere where
students feel comfortable and encouraged. Rather than seeing her role as just an
instructor, Marnie strives to be a helpful guide, focusing on each student’s growth and
progress. She believes that with consistent effort and patient guidance, students can
make steady improvements in their skills and performance.
Through her teaching, Marnie Thies aims to help students develop qualities such as
persistence, discipline, and work ethic-traits that serve them well both in music and in
life. While she enjoys the violin’s sound, she especially values its ability to teach lessons
that extend beyond the instrument itself. Marnie’s ultimate goal is for her students to
enjoy playing the violin and develop a lifelong appreciation for music, enriching their
lives in the process.
Marnie Thies is committed to helping young musicians discover their own voices. She
enjoys providing the support and resources needed for students to explore their
creativity and grow as individuals. By offering thoughtful and in-depth guidance at each
step of their musical journey, Marnie helps students develop confidence in themselves
as musicians and as people.
Since 2004, she has been teaching violin and is grateful for the opportunity to guide her students. As a Suzuki violin instructor who completed teacher training in all ten books, Marnie works at a pace that suits each student, carefully adjusting her approach to meet their individual needs. She attended the Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin for 15 summers, where she continued learning about teaching and refining her skills—always seeking ways to enhance the experience for her students. Marnie Thies Violin Lessons was fortunate to have the opportunity to revisit training in multiple Suzuki books with different teachers, gaining new perspectives each time.
Marnie believes that every student is unique, and strives to adapt her teaching to
each person’s needs. Her goal is to always support her students’ growth at every stage
of their journey. This personalized approach has helped Marnie create a space where
students feel welcome to learn, grow, and continue their musical journeys for years to
come.
Marnie’s teaching is based on a deep respect for her students and the positive impact
that music can have on their lives. Whether working with young students aged five and older or adults, Thies is focused on helping each student make progress, no matter how small.
Marnie’s aim is always to support their individual learning experiences and help them
enjoy the process of learning. Her dedication to technical and musical details is evident in every lesson, and she feels fortunate to guide her students’ growth, hoping they find joy and fulfillment in their musical journeys.
Marnie currently provides Suzuki violin lessons in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Falcon
Heights and North Oaks. Located near Minneapolis, she also teaches students online.
Her online violin lessons page (link below) highlights the progress of a student who
learned vibrato exclusively through virtual instruction with Marnie as their sole instructor.
What inspired Marnie Thies to start playing the violin?
My love for the violin began when I was in kindergarten. One day, my teacher’s son
came to class and played the violin for us. I remember being deeply moved by the
sound; it was unlike anything I had heard before. When my teacher asked if anyone
wanted to learn how to play, my hand went up without hesitation. That moment felt
important, even then. Not long after, I began taking lessons. Looking back, it’s clear that
experience shaped the course of my life. It was the beginning of a journey that has
given me so much joy, and now I’m lucky enough to help others start their own musical
journeys.
What is your approach to teaching violin?
My approach to teaching is very much student-centered. I believe that every student
brings something unique to the table, and it’s my job to help them discover their
strengths and build confidence. I teach with the Suzuki philosophy as my foundation,
which emphasizes listening, repetition, and creating a supportive environment for
learning. I also take a flexible approach in my teaching because no two students learn
exactly the same way. Some students respond really well to visual cues, others to
kinesthetic guidance, and some thrive with more structured technical work. I take time to
figure that out for each individual. I always try to maintain a balance between technical
skill-building and musical expression, because both are essential. Ultimately, my goal is
to create a space where students feel encouraged, motivated, and capable of making
meaningful progress. I want them to enjoy learning, while also developing the discipline
and resilience that come from consistent practice.
For me, the most rewarding part of teaching is witnessing growth, both musical and
personal. There is something really special about watching a student struggle with a
new concept, work through it with patience and determination, and then finally master it.
Those “a-ha” moments are incredibly fulfilling. But beyond that, I love seeing students
develop self-assurance. Over time, I see them embrace their unique musical voice and
truly believe in their abilities. That is something that stays with them, whether they
continue with music professionally or not. It is also rewarding to see the relationships
that form between teacher and student, between students and their families, and evenamong studio peers. I get to be part of a larger support system that helps shape young
people into thoughtful, expressive, and resilient individuals. That is an honor I never
take for granted. One of the greatest joys is seeing how my former students carry what
they have learned into adulthood, not just as musicians, but as confident, capable
people in whatever paths they choose.
How does Marnie incorporate the Suzuki Method into her lessons?
The Suzuki Method is at the heart of how I teach, and I’ve spent many years studying
and refining my understanding of it. I completed teacher training in all ten Suzuki books
and attended the Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, for 15 summers. I
returned year after year because I truly believed there was always more to learn. Each
time I studied a book again with a different teacher, I gained new insights that I could
bring to my students. Even now, I continue to deepen my knowledge of violin playing
and teaching by exploring online videos and resources, constantly refining my skills and
approach.
Suzuki teaching is about more than just following a sequence of pieces — it’s about
building a strong foundation, nurturing a love of music, and creating an environment that
fosters both musical and personal growth. I believe in working at the student’s pace,
ensuring they feel successful before moving forward. Parental involvement is also a key
part of the process, especially for younger students, and I work closely with families to
help support their child’s learning. My goal is to use the Suzuki Method as a flexible
framework that adapts to each student’s needs while promoting consistent, joyful
progress.
What age and skill levels does Marnie Thies teach?
I teach students starting around age five and up, including adult learners. I work with a
wide range of ability levels, from beginners who are just picking up the violin for the first
time, to advanced students preparing for auditions with youth orchestras such as
Minnesota Youth Symphonies or Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies. I really enjoy
the variety. Beginners bring a wonderful sense of curiosity and energy to their lessons,
while more experienced students are often ready to dive into complex musical ideas
and refine their technique at a deeper level. I also find it especially rewarding to teach
adults who are returning to the violin or learning it for the first time later in life. No matter the age or level, my goal is always the same: to support the student’s growth and help
them reach their personal musical goals.
What does Marnie hope her students gain beyond musical skills?
While helping students grow as violinists is a big part of what I do, I also hope they take
away life lessons from their studies. Learning the violin requires patience, discipline,
problem-solving, and resilience, all qualities that serve students well outside of music.When a student works through a difficult passage, practices consistently even when it’s hard, or bounces back after a frustrating day, they’re building character in addition to
skill.
I also hope they learn to enjoy the process, not just the end results. Music offers so
many opportunities for self-expression, and I want my students to find joy in their
progress, not just perfection. Confidence, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment
often grow right alongside their playing ability. That’s what makes music such a
powerful teacher because it touches every part of a person’s development.
How has Marnie adapted her teaching in recent years?
Like many teachers, I shifted to online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it
completely changed how I think about what’s possible with virtual instruction. At first, it
was a necessity as a way to stay connected and continue lessons, but over time, I saw
how effective it could be. I now offer online lessons regularly. One student, for example,
learned vibrato entirely through online lessons with me; we never met in person, and
they made incredible progress.
Online teaching has also made it easier for families with busy schedules, transportation
challenges, or health concerns to stay consistent with lessons. Of course, I still love in-
person teaching and continue to offer it in St. Paul, including the communities of Falcon
Heights and North Oaks, but I’m also excited by the flexibility that remote instruction
provides. Whether online or in person, my focus remains the same: to give each student
a thoughtful, supportive learning experience that helps them grow musically and
personally.