It all started with a piano.

Young Marianne & her Mother

Marianne Henry’s earliest memories are of her great grandmother’s piano and the legacy of music that has been passed down through generations in her family. Marianne’s great grandmother put each of her 10 surviving children in piano lessons. Each morning before school the children would line up and take turns practicing the piano. The siblings would encourage each other and support one another on their musical journey. A lesson Marianne values deeply today. 

Marianne’s grandmother was one of the 10 piano playing siblings. Her grandfather also came from a family rooted in music, where his brother played clarinet in Louis Armstrong’s band. When Marianne’s mother was old enough to take piano lessons, she did. When her mother started a family, she continued the family tradition of piano lessons and Marianne fell in line taking lessons at age 3. 

At eight years old, in her third grade class, Marianne sat quietly at her desk as a guest musician entered her classroom to introduce a local violin program. As the musician lifted her violin and began to play the familiar tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” Marianne watched in wonder. She was captivated and thought, “that was the most beautiful version of the song I have ever heard.” How did the music flow so beautifully out of the f holes and speak directly to her heart? Marianne HAD to learn the violin. After school, she shared her experience with her mother who was delighted that her daughter was interested in learning a new instrument. Her mother wasted no time at all asking around for a violin for Marianne. Soon, a borrowed violin was placed on the living room couch and Marianne plucked the strings and attempted to discover how it made such a beautiful sound. 

Marianne and the violin have been together ever since that momentous day.