Growing up in Barcelona, Maria Ryan has been a violinist since she was 10-years-old. Filling a need for her local church, if she was just a bit taller, Maria could have easily gone down a completely different path.

“They needed somebody to play the violin and they needed somebody to play the pipe organ and my feet didn’t reach the pedals,” she laughed.

She admitted that it was an acquired taste.

“I hated it with a passion,” she said. She said the strict teaching style and high expectations at the time made it hard for her to enjoy the instrument. Over time Maria grew to like and eventually love her instrument, and today she is keen to share her skills with others. 

As a child, Maria was discouraged from playing anything non-traditional, but in a recent jam session with local singing group The Music Makers, she took requests for everything from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Silent Night. 

Self-trained from years of playing with bands, Maria has the rare talent of playing by ear – and often picks up melodies without the aid of written music. 

“Whatever comes in my ear, I can play it straight away,” she said.

“If you want to play along, you have to make the effort. And stuff it up a lot of times, and sometimes before you get the right key, you play all the wrong notes!”

After moving to Inverell 18 months ago and playing with local musicians Fat Hardy and Alan East, Maria rediscovered her love of violin and was inspired to begin sharing her knowledge.

“Having regular, twice-a-week practice with other musicians has made me realise music is really important,” she said.

“It can really lift your mood. It can really set the character – set the colour for the day.” She said there was a spiritual and emotional component to music that many people overlooked.

“I think I understand it now and I appreciate it much better, and I think the more people we can get to feel this, the better,” she said. 

Maria will be working out of the Inverell Music Centre on Moore Street, and offers lessons for various ages and experience levels. She is prepared to offer short one on one lessons, suited to the attention span of young beginners. 

She is not tied to traditional teaching methods and is happy to teach students who simply want to learn a few familiar songs. 

The biggest struggle currently is sourcing instruments, and the music centre are encouraging donations from any locals with violins of any size and quality that they no longer need. To learn more, call 04 3954 5294.