Hello and welcome to elementary strings! My name is Monica Holy, and I am one of the instructors who will be teaching orchestra at Meramec, Captain, and Glenridge Elementary School. This is my 13th year in Clayton school district, and I come from Hazelwood school district where I taught middle school orchestra for six years.
My "violin life" started in the fourth grade at Craig Elementary School in the Parkway school district. Just like the musicians here, I began by learning the Suzuki Method. I achieved both my Bachelor of Music Education and my Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis where I studied with The Arriana String Quartet. I completed my Doctorate in Music Education last year from Liberty University. I currently teach violin and viola privately. However, I particularly enjoy teaching orchestra because I love the challenge of making the ensemble sound better and better each year. I always try to be innovative in my approach to teaching and cherish the relationships I build with my students.
I have two children that are a part of the Clayton School Community. Sofia is a 7th grader at Wydown and Luke is a 3rd grader at Glenridge. My husband and I are high school sweathearts as we both played violin and were standpartners for many years.
1. Favorite Ice Cream: Cookie Dough
2. Favorite Ride at Six Flags: Superman
3. Pets: Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Ms. Mariana Wood
Hello Clayton Strings!!
I am originally from Sao Paulo – Brazil. I initiated my violin studies through the Method Jaffe of Strings in 1999, playing in a group setting, much alike the one in Clayton's 5th grade class. After a few years of instruction I became a member of the String Orchestra Acorde para as Cordas of Sao Paulo, which performed about 30 concerts a year. That was such a fun time in my life! My passion for music grew year by year, opening new doors of opportunity. I became a member of the Camerata Sao Paulo, a professional String Ensemble performing classical, jazz, and pop music in a number of different States of Brazil.
In 2004, I became part of the staff with the Jaffe Strings Method in Sao Paulo, teaching violin, viola, cello, and double bass in a string orchestra setting for over two years.
In 2006 I moved to the United States to study under the Arianna String Quartet. Since then, I have graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in violin performance from the University of Missouri-St Louis, and a Master’s Degree in violin performance and Suzuki Method Certification from Southern Illinois University – SIUE. Upon my graduation from UMSL, I became the Music Director for the Music Immersion Program at the Saint Louis Language Immersion Schools, developing an after school program for their French School. For over 10 years I have built a large Suzuki Studio in South County and more recently in Clayton, MO. This is my 5th year in the Clayton District and I am thrilled to work with you this year!!
Teaching is my greatest passion and my daily goal is to inspire my students to dream big and to achieve their fullest potential.
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Ms. Mariana WoodHello Clayton Strings!!I am originally from Sao Paulo – Brazil. I initiated my violin studies through the Method Jaffe of Strings in 1999, playing in a group setting, much alike the one in Clayton's 5th grade class. After a few years of instruction I became a member of the String Orchestra Acorde para as Cordas of Sao Paulo, which performed about 30 concerts a year. That was such a fun time in my life! My passion for music grew year by year, opening new doors of opportunity. I became a member of the Camerata Sao Paulo, a professional String Ensemble performing classical, jazz, and pop music in a number of different States of Brazil.In 2004, I became part of the staff with the Jaffe Strings Method in Sao Paulo, teaching violin, viola, cello, and double bass in a string orchestra setting for over two years.In 2006 I moved to the United States to study under the Arianna String Quartet. Since then, I have graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in violin performance from the University of Missouri-St Louis, and a Master’s Degree in violin performance and Suzuki Method Certification from Southern Illinois University – SIUE. Upon my graduation from UMSL, I became the Music Director for the Music Immersion Program at the Saint Louis Language Immersion Schools, developing an after school program for their French School. For over 10 years I have built a large Suzuki Studio in South County and more recently in Clayton, MO. This is my 5th year in the Clayton District and I am thrilled to work with you this year!!Teaching is my greatest passion and my daily goal is to inspire my students to dream big and to achieve their fullest potential.