Expert Violin & Viola Lessons in Waterloo: Australian Institute of Music Master's Graduate for All Levels, Adult Learners, and AMEB Prep

Learn more about Marcella

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I started learning the violin when I was five years old. It’s hard at first but somewhere along the way it became something I couldn’t imagine living without. The violin has been with me through every stage of my life, and I still find it amazing that four strings can say things words sometimes can’t.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Laufey has definitely been on repeat lately! And I started to listen to Olivia Dean too. But I also love classical music (of course), but my playlists jump between Bach, Debussy, and the occasional sad song at 2 a.m. I like music that tells a story, now I started to listen the other genre outside classical music.

• Explain to us the most difficult or 'riveting' lesson you could personally give to one of your students.

  Probably learning how to enjoy performing instead of just surviving it. Playing the right notes is one thing, but learning how to deal with nerves, communicate with an audience, and actually enjoy being on stage is a whole different challenge. Those are the lessons that stay with you long after you’ve forgotten your scales. The most difficult ones, are transfer students with all the posture & things that need to be fixed. It takes a very long time.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I have to defend my own instrument and say the violin. There’s nowhere to hide! No frets, no keys, just your ears, your hands, and lots of patience. It can be incredibly frustrating at times, but that’s also what makes it so rewarding and of course she’s so beautiful.

• What are your keys to success?

  Be consistent, be curious, and don’t be afraid to sound bad while you’re learning. Progress isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing up regularly and enjoying the process. I always tell my students that every great musician once sounded like a beginner.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Laufey, Bach, and Janine Jansen.
  
  Laufey because I’d love to hear how she writes music that feels so timeless yet so personal. Bach because… imagine being able to ask him what was actually going through his mind when he wrote all those incredible works (and whether he’d be amused by all of us still obsessing over them centuries later!). And Janine Jansen because I’ve always admired how effortlessly expressive and honest her playing is and she’s my favourite violinist! I’d happily sit there for hours just listening to the three of them talk about music.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your musical journey, or your days at 'music school'.

  One thing music school taught me is that everyone feels like they’re not good enough sometimes, nobody is perfect, and you can’t play your pieces perfectly. It will always be different, even the people you admire. Once I realised that, I stopped comparing myself so much and focused on becoming a better musician than I was yesterday. I don’t have much performance anxiety, and I can actually enjoy my hours of daily practice. That mindset has helped me far more than chasing perfection ever did.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I genuinely care about my students. I celebrate the little wins, I’m patient when things get tricky, and I adapt my teaching to each person instead of expecting everyone to learn the same way. I also perform professionally, so I can share real-life experiences from concerts, auditions, and the music industry. Most importantly, I want my students to leave every lesson feeling excited to pick up their instrument again.