About Mary

Mary was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but grew up in Seattle, Washington. Mary began violin lessons at
the early age of five after watching a violinist on the families new television [the first one in the
neighborhood.} When a salesperson from the National Institute of Music and Arts, came around to the
house, Mary asked to take group violin lessons.  From there Mary began private lessons with Walter
Sundsten, Concert Master of the Seattle Symphony.

In Mary’s sophomore year at Ballard High School, she was chosen as Concert Master of the All-
Northwest Orchestra which included the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.   Mary
was an active player with the Youth Symphony Orchestra for several years.  Mary began studying
violin with Professor Emanuel Zetlin at the University of Washington during her sophomore year at
Ballard High School.  Besides organizing a woman’s sacred choral group, she organized and led a girl’
s trio that performed both sacred and secular choral music for weddings, funerals and other
functions.  Mary led a string quartet that performed on local TV stations and for various functions in
the Seattle area.  While attending the University of Washington, Mary continued study with Professor
Zetlin.

After marrying and having three lovely children (Gordon, Scott and Ruth) Mary’s music studio
quickly expanded to approximately thirty students.  She taught violin, viola, cello, piano, music theory
and voice.

When the family moved to Tucson, Arizona, Mary became a violinist with the Tucson Symphony.  
Then for a few years the family lived in a small mining town in Tyrone, New Mexico.  Mary attended
and also taught at the Western New Mexico University in nearby Silver City, New Mexico.  Mary was
the music director of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Silver City for several years.

Missing the big city life, Mary again joined the Tucson Symphony and commuted to Tucson from
Silver City for one full season. Then the family moved back to Tucson and Mary has been in the
Tucson Symphony since that time--too many years to count! Back in Tucson Mary studied violin
performance and violin pedagogy with John Ferrell at the University of Arizona.  Mary is a member of
the core orchestra of the symphony at this time.  The Tucson Symphony is in transition from a
part-time orchestra to a full-time orchestra.

Mary also has a love for chamber music.  Her string quartet meets weekly when the symphony
schedule allows.

Mary is now reopening her violin studio.  All dedicated and ambitious students are encouraged to fill
out an application to become a student.   Call or fill out an application on-line.