Marissa Mathia
Adjunct Faculty & Collaborative Pianist
- Mathes Hall 104
Omaha born pianist, Marissa Mathia is a prolific collaborator, pedagogue, and solo performer. She began her musical journey at the early age of 3.5 years old, beginning her musical studies under her mother's tutelage, eventually transferring to her private pre-college instructor Ken Soh. Marissa holds her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Music from the University of Oklahoma in Piano Pedagogy and Performance. She has studied piano with Dr. Igor Lipinski, Dr. Washington Garcia and Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor and Professor Stacie Haneline. Her pedagogy mentors include Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. J.P. Murphy, and Dr. Sara Ernst.
Marissa’s first piano performance at the age of 4 led to a passion for performing.
Some of her most notable performances have included an international debut at the
South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, China, a Piano Duo performance in
the Nebraska Rising Stars Concert and at Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University,
and a concerto performance playing Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos with the University
of Nebraska at Omaha’s Orchestra under the baton of the renowned Miguel Harth-Bedoya.
Marissa also enjoys collaborating with vocalists and choirs, most recently with the
University of Oklahoma Chorale under the direction of Dr Richard Zielinski. Under
the instruction of Dr. Lipinski, she won the Oklahoma Community Orchestra, Young Artist
Competition, and the opportunity to play with the orchestra as a soloist. Outside
of school, Marissa enjoys singing and occasionally playing with the Chancel Choir
at First Presbyterian Church of Norman.
Pedagogically, Marissa has taught at a private studio, Crash Bang Boom Omaha for three
years and collegiate music majors and non-majors during her Masters. In January of
2024 she, along with Anna Dunbar and Guilherme Lopes Corrêa presented at the MTNA
Collegiate Piano Pedagogy Symposium on incorporating piano 4-hand works into elementary-level
piano lessons. She also presented with the University of Omaha collegiate chapter
on Teachers’ Mental Health at the virtual MTNA National Conference in 2021.
Marissa is thrilled to be joining East Tennessee State University as an Adjunct Instructor/Collaborative
Pianist. She looks forward to instructing in many capacities as well as collaborating
with students and ensembles