Marilyn C.

About Marilyn

Internationally recognized percussionist Marilyn K. Clark Silva has a classic portfolio career as an Arizona Teaching Artist through the Phoenix Center for the Arts and an active freelance percussionist currently located in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Dr. Clark Silva has taught music theory, history, appreciation, composition, and performance at all levels both individually and in a classroom setting throughout the United States. She is a founding member of both "Tandem Duo" and "Sugar and Carbs," chamber groups that commission and perform new works throughout the United States. She has a performed with Island Steel, Salt River Brass Band, Vocal Essence, Phoenix First Assembly, Scottsdale Arts Orchestra, Folsom Symphony, Panic Steel Band, Crossing 32nd Street, Pan Devils Steel Band, J.T.'s Mexican Marimba Band, as well as many other diverse ensembles.

Dr. Clark Silva teaches music history and theory as well as percussion ensemble at Veritas Prep Academy and teaches privately throughout the Phoenix valley. Dr. Clark Silva was a panelist and presenter for the 2015 College Music Society National Convention and is the founder/developer of the Start-Up Steel pedagogical method. She is a faculty member and performing artist for the Mt. Blanca Summer Music Conservatory, a featured artist with Sugar and Carbs for the Interference Concert Series in Flagstaff, AZ, and will premier a new chamber work at the 2016 American Harp Society, Inc. National Conference. With Tandem Duo and Tandem Collective Dr. Clark Silva will be presenting a national tour in the Spring of 2016 and hosting the Kondo Festival in September 2016. Outside of music Dr. Clark Silva advocates for animal rights as a grant writer and volunteer for animal rescue organizations. Dr. Clark Silva received her bachelor's in percussion performance from California State University, Sacramento, her master's in percussion performance from Arizona State University, and her D.M.A. in percussion performance from the University of Minnesota.


I have a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree in music performance. I have taught music theory, history, composition, appreciation, and performance for many years, both as a private instructor and in a classroom setting. I work with students of all ages, experience levels, and abilities, including students with disabilities and special needs. I tailor lessons to the specific needs and learning styles of individual students to explain things in a way that will be interesting and memorable.

Please contact me with any of your music tutoring needs, whether you are in your 90's wanting to learn drums for the first time, a parent looking for help teaching your young child to read notes, a high school senior preparing for college auditions and placement exams, or anywhere in-between, I can help you get to where you want to be! Internationally recognized percussionist Marilyn K. Clark Silva has a classic portfolio career as an Arizona Teaching Artist through the Phoenix Center for the Arts and an active freelance percussionist currently located in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Dr. Clark Silva has taught music theory, history, appreciation, composition, and performance… Read more

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