Mara Tieles

Mara Tieles has an extensive international career as a soloist and chamber musician collaborating with renowned artists such as Hansjörg Schellenberger, Andreas Frölich, Viacheslav Poprugin, and the Mondriaan Quartet. Which has led her to make numerous tours in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Mara has received several scholarships for research and studies, in addition to being awarded in various international competitions.

Mara is a multi-faceted performer, her musical experiences span a range from historical music to electronic. Being specialised in a wide spectrum of musical genres ranging from baroque to the most current music of the 21st century. In this way she has been the principal viola player of the European Baroque Orchestra, The Orchestra of the XVII Century and collaborated with artists such as Rod Stewart, Cinematic Orchestra, Snarky Puppy (winners of several Grammy awards) with whom she has recorded an album.

Mara also has extensive orchestral experience as a guest player in important European orchestras such as the Liceu Theater Opera Orchestra (Barcelona), Het Ballet Orkest (Amsterdam), Het Residentie Orkest (The Hague). During the last years she has also made numerous tours as co-principal viola of the European Chamber Orchestra.

Despite spending much of her time touring, Mara has a long-standing vocation teaching around the world, this being one of her greatest passions. Her first experience as a violin teacher was more than 15 years ago in Barcelona. Since then she has taught at various schools in the Netherlands, being a visiting professor at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana, a chamber music teacher during the Instrumenta Festival in Oaxaca, Mexico and held pedagogical concerts at the Chetthams School in Manchester, England. She has also carried out volunteer work in orphanages and schools in Indonesia and Suriname. Mara is also an external member of the jury in the commission of Master's exams at the Codarts (Rotterdam) and Artez (Zwolle / Arnhem) conservatories.

With over 15 years of experience, teaching the violin and viola has always been one of my great interests. I teach from different schools of instruction – and I make sure that the approach and methods that I employ are situationally appropriate for each student by constructing individualised lesson plans. I’m mainly specialized in classes of intermediate and higher level and also advise on the preparation work for entrance exams and auditions. My teaching method at an early stage focuses on the technical aspects of working with the instrument. During classes we also discuss basic philosophical and historical concepts to lay a knowledge base from which we will develop musical creativity from the beginning. In my opinion, it is essential that students reflect on their individual approach, constantly aspiring to work on their own musical personality and actively developing their critical thinking.

Another essential aspect is the production of sound through organic contact and movements with the instrument, respecting the needs of our body. Paying special attention to promoting a posture that supports musical discourse, while freeing us from tension. It is very important to work from an understanding of how body and instrument mechanics work together.

*Las clases pueden ser en español también.