Marc Donnelly, M.M.
★★★★★ 5 · 9 student reviews
Marc Donnelly holds a Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Connecticut, where he also completed doctoral-level coursework in the history and theory of music. Before settling into his teaching studio in Silver Spring, MD, he lectured the complete undergraduate music history sequence, taught advanced harmony through the third and fourth semesters, and guided students through four full semesters of aural skills — a scope of academic work that few private teachers can claim. His undergraduate degree covered music, mathematics, and teaching simultaneously, and his formal training extends across piano, organ, voice, conducting, flute, and pennywhistle.
“If a student found a concept difficult to grasp, Marc would easily explain it from a different perspective in order to aid comprehension - a mark of a quality teacher. As a choral conductor, Marc brought knowledge, preparedness, and control to rehearsal. Unlike many student conductors with whom I've worked, he wasted little rehearsal time, allowing the ensemble to get the notes quickly so that interpretation and musicality could be brought to the forefront of the rehearsal process.”
— Michael Fitch, former theory student and choral ensemble member
His professional life runs parallel to his teaching. Donnelly serves as organist and choir director at a church in Derwood, MD, near Gaithersburg, and maintains a private studio in Silver Spring. Students can work at either location or, when necessary, in their own home. The Silver Spring studio houses a mahogany baby grand Cristofori; Derwood has a Yamaha U1 upright. Rather than directing students to music shops for supplementary books, Donnelly prepares his own materials in technique, sight-reading, music theory, and repertoire — tailored to each student individually.
Reviewers who knew him in an academic setting consistently point to one specific quality: his ability to re-explain a concept from a different angle when a student doesn't grasp it the first time. A former student from his University of Connecticut theory class described how he could 'adapt to the changing needs of students,' pivoting explanations fluidly when a concept wasn't landing. That same adaptability shows up in his private studio work. Marie Claire, an adult beginner based in Bethesda, writes that Donnelly 'breaks down lessons in manageable chunks, gives me homework and keeps me interested' — a practical, structured approach rather than an open-ended one.
“At age 61 and with singing experience but never having lessons, I decided to undertake the task of being a better choral singer. Marc took me on as a student. I found him to be a huge help to me technically in the areas I wanted to strengthen (breathing, vowel pronunciation, power). Even more importantly he helped me overcome my extreme fear of singing in front of another person. He understood my goals (not to be a soloist but to be a better member of a group) and respected them.”
— Lyle Kahle, Newport — adult voice student
Donnelly teaches voice as well as keyboard instruments, and several reviews speak to his technical specificity as a vocal coach. He works on breathing, vowel pronunciation, power, and sight-reading — not simply repertoire. One student, Lyle Kahle of Newport, came to lessons at age 61 with choral singing experience but no formal training and a significant fear of performing in front of others. Donnelly adjusted his approach to match Kahle's stated goal — improving as a choral ensemble member, not becoming a soloist — and helped him work through that performance anxiety. That kind of goal-specific teaching, responsive to what the student actually wants, appears more than once across the nine reviews.
His credentials include a standout moment from June 2011, when he was selected to perform harpsichord continuo at the Bowdoin International Music Festival alongside violinist Ray Chen (Queen Elizabeth Competition first-place winner) and Liang Wang, principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic, in a performance of the Bach double concerto. He received three consecutive Pre-Doctoral Fellowships from the University of Connecticut and the Alexander Hewitt Scholarship. At Bowdoin College, he was awarded the Robert K. Beckwith Music Prize — given to the graduating senior judged to have contributed most significantly to the music department over four years. His tutoring background also includes three years of certification and work with individuals with autism and other forms of pervasive developmental disorder, giving him range across learning styles and needs.
“What I like best about Marc's teaching his is attention to detail: technical, musical, and historical. As a vocal/choral coach, Marc not only helped me with my breathing and tone, he helped me become a better sight-singer (especially with regards to counting!). Moreover, his attention to phrasing and vocal gesture helped transform me from singer into an engaging performer.”
— Andrea, Dallas — vocal and choral coaching student
Donnelly takes students age five and older, from beginners through advanced levels, across piano, organ, voice, music theory, composition, and conducting. His studio is near downtown Silver Spring; the Derwood location puts him within reach of the Gaithersburg corridor as well. For families or adult learners weighing private instruction, the profile here is unusually specific: a teacher whose academic record is verifiable, whose performance experience is documented, and whose students describe the same qualities — methodical pacing, honest technical correction, and lessons that move.
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