Marie Cole

Cello• Piano • Early Childhood Specialist
Orchestra League Coach (TEAM Cello)

Marie Cole is an experienced music educator and professional cellist who has been inspiring students of all ages for more than twenty years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Connecticut.

An active performer, Marie is a member of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra (TN) and the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra (NC). She also performs regularly throughout western North Carolina for weddings, community events, and special occasions, including performances at Lake Lure and the Biltmore Estate.

Throughout her career, Marie has taught cello, piano, Music Mind Games, and early childhood music in North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. During the summer, she has served in leadership roles at numerous music camps and institutes, including Joyful Noise Music & Arts Camp, Blue Ridge Suzuki String Camp, Alexandria Suzuki Guitar Institute, and Peaks to Plains Suzuki Institute, where she has enjoyed mentoring young musicians and supporting fellow teachers. She has also been a camp counselor and instructor at the Wild Roots Summer Camp: "Instrument Petting Zoo".

Marie has a special passion for introducing young children to music through engaging, creative learning experiences. In addition to maintaining private studios at Wild Roots Fine Arts Academy, her home studio, and online, she has taught preschool music at Central Weekday School in Asheville and currently teaches at Tot Learning Center in Rutherfordton.

Marie lives in Rutherford County with her family on a farm overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She believes that music should be joyful, encouraging, and accessible to everyone, and she delights in helping each student discover confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.