Mary Brandal is a cellist from Columbus, Ohio, who received her Master of Music degree at the Ohio State University in May, 2018. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Ohio University and is a registered Suzuki Method cello teacher. Mary is currently working towards a PhD in education specializing in social emotional learning from North Central University. Mary earned her State of Ohio Music Educator's teaching license in January, 2019. For four years, she taught orchestra, band, choir, and general music for the CCS school district before leaving to teach privately and manage wedding music bookings full time in June, 2023.
Mary switched to cello from violin at the age of ten, fell in love with it, and has been playing ever since. As a young cellist in high school, she participated in the Chamber Music Connection in Columbus, Ohio, as well as the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Youth Philharmonic Columbus Orchestra, and the OMEA Regional and District Orchestras. Every year throughout middle and high school, Mary entered the OMEA solo competition and Young Soloist competitions. She attended Whetstone High School and was a featured soloist at her high school graduation, performing solo Bach in the Ohio Theatre.
Pre-Covid, Mary has played with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, the Central Ohio Symphony, the Lima Symphony Orchestra, and has been a featured guest artist with the Calliope Women's Choir. She was a member of the Indianola Quartet, formed in 2017. She still regularly performs weddings and events in central Ohio.
As a trained Suzuki instructor, Mary teaches students of all ages. She also teaches traditional method students and enjoys working with both young students and adults. She taught for five years as a cello teacher for the Athens Community Music School. Mary currently resides in Columbus, Ohio and teaches private lessons and classes at her home studio that she shares with her husband, Justin Fetters, who teaches woodwinds, brass, and voice. She plays on a newer 2010 cello, named "Valentino", made specifically for her by luthier Richard Compartino in Quebec, Canada.
