About
Marissa Terranova is a professional musician and educator who has been playing and teaching since 2008. She studied both music education and jazz performance at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and has extensive performance experience on both piano and trumpet. She earned a single-subject teaching credential in music from CSUN, taught in CA public schools for 10 years, and then earned a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Technology from CSUN in 2021.
While teaching full-time in public schools, she also maintains a small studio of private music students and performs regularly in a variety of styles.
Marissa is well-versed in music education with experience teaching band, orchestra, general music, and elementary music. In her music lessons, she uses traditional approaches as well as innovative technology to engage, inspire, and create musicians of all ages. She is a member of the Orff-Schulwerk Association and completed the first level of training and certification in Orff-Schulwerk music pedagogy through the Los Angeles chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association in summer 2019.
Besides music, Marissa has earned numerous other certifications to expand her knowledge and expertise in technology and the 21st century classroom to include the following certifications:
- Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program
- Flipgrid certified educator
- Nearpod certified educator
- Common Sense Media educator
- Kami certified educator
- ClassDojo teacher, school leader, and mentor
- WEB certified coordinator
- Clever certified teacher
- Social-emotional learning teacher
She has also been coordinator of Student Technology Leader programs, Student Council, Middle School transition and mentorship programs, and school-wide events like Career Day and Graduation ceremonies.
Besides teaching , Marissa plays a variety of styles in a variety of settings. From intimate jazz trios to salsa bands, she has been playing professionally in Los Angeles since 2008, and recently relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2021. As of Fall 2022, she has accepted a position teaching for the music department at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC.
Education
California State University, Northridge
Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Education: Instructional Technology
May 2021
Program Advisor, Brian Foley
California State University, Northridge
Single-Subject Teaching Credential - MusicMay 2010
Program Mentor/Advisor, Mary Schliff
California State University, Northridge
Bachelors of Music (BM)May 2009
Program Advisors, Mary Schliff & Gary Pratt
Program included both music education and jazz performance requirements with a primary performance focus on trumpet.
Coursework included pedagogy on woodwinds, percussion, brass, strings, and piano, as well as jazz improvisation, arranging, musicianship, and theory.
Notable instructors include Bill Bing, Howie Shear, Jon Lewis, Gary Pratt, Matt Harris, Rob Lockhart, and Gary Fukushima.
Services
Explore the diverse array of musical services offered to elevate your musical journey.
Music Education
Engage in comprehensive music lessons designed for all skill levels, focusing on technique, theory, and performance.
Live Performances
Book captivating live performances that bring a unique flair to your events, whether intimate gatherings or grand celebrations.
Music Arranging
Transform your musical ideas into fully realized arrangements tailored to your specifications, ensuring a polished and professional sound.
Professional development
Looking to reinvigorate your teaching and skill development? I offer a wide array of professional development sessions on a variety of topics spanning from traditional music education techniques to integrating technology in the classroom.
