Marla grew up in the rural area of Grand Valley and specializes in teaching the Suzuki Method. She currently teaches violin in the Suzuki Talent Education Program at the Eckhardt Gramatté Conservatory, Brandon University. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Brandon University. She is currently the director of the Brandon Suzuki Talent Education Program.
She established and taught in the MacGregor Suzuki Satellite program for many years. Marla is now developing other violin programs in Holland and Boissevain, that were originally founded by her violinist uncle, Bill Gray.
For the past three years, along with her husband, various musicians and student alumni, Marla has been involved with an annual concert at the William Glesby Centre in Portage la Prairie. The purpose of these concerts is collaboration with friends and to fund raise for local charitable organizations.
She enjoys researching, teaching students and performing music of contrasting genres, including classical, contemporary and traditional dance music.
Her favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach.
She has been privileged to study violin with Dr. Frances Chaplin and Professor Kerry DuWors at Brandon University. Marla is currently the music director at St. George’s Anglican Church where she plays piano and organ.
She frequently adjudicates at string festivals across the prairie provinces and beyond. She is dedicated to creativity, change and musical outreach. She appreciates how music develops fine character and brings about a life long journey of growth and enjoyment. She and her husband Ron are honoured to be raising two wonderful daughters.