Home of TROUBADORA, NORTHSTAR MUSIC & MARSH-IVES STUDIOS

TROUBADORA

2011-08-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

~ available for your event, Just give a call to Mary at 317-2580 or email maryla@alaska.com

Read on down the page to get answers to your questions.

This blog is designed to give info about our teaching availability as well as performances.

NORTHSTAR MUSIC STUDIO's Innovative Program ~ Lessons Twice a Month !!

2011-03-03T22:31:00.000-08:00

Beginning Music Instruction

Mary's specialty is teaching music Lessons to
beginners of folk instruments: Guitar,
Mandolin, Mt. Dulcimer, Baritone Ukulele,
Piano, Bowed Psaltery, Trumpet, Music Theory,
Note-Reading, Basics of Classical Guitar,
Finger-Picking, Folk Guitar for Home School,
Charter School, Elementary School,
Teens of Jr. High, Sr. High School students & Parents, Teachers; private & small group instruction, workshops.

A heartfelt belief of Mary's is that the learning of a musical instrument, singing, & listening to music is helpful not only in organizing one's brain, but it can be healing and therapeutic to the player, singer and listener. Not only is it a vehicle to meet others, but it is a friend in itself.

"There is no friend like music when the heart is broken, to mend its wings and give it flight again." Daniel Whitehead Hicky

"Music is the art of thinking with sounds." Jules Combarieu"

TROUBADORA Cello/Lute Guitar Duo: What We Do and How to Contact Us

2008-06-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

We provide music for your important conference dinner, wedding, reception, office party, wake, birthday, holiday or anniversary celebration. The mood and ambience will be elegant, upbeat, background or festive; it is your call! We can provide theme and special music upon request.

Email for more information and to determine details, custom requests and fees. Early afternoon, evening and weekend calls are preferred, but we will happily return your call or email if you contact us at other times.

Mary LaFever Linda Marsh-Ives
Phone Mary @ 907-317-2580 or Linda @ 907-278-8880
Email: maryla@alaska.com or linda@arctic.net

Troubadora mailing address:
c/o LaFever
815 W. 19th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99503

Our Favorite Connections....

2008-06-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

As long as you are here, we would like to introduce you to some of our friends and favorite websites. Thanks for visiting us, and come around again when you are looking for some music!

Crossroads Leadership Institute
Best management consulting in Alaska, and perhaps the Universe!

Linda Marsh-Ives
Be sure to check out multi-talented Linda's art website. Not only does she play some enchanting cello, her portraits, landscapes and notecards will charm you, too!

Walt Wagner
When you are in Seattle, treat yourself to dinner or dessert at Canlis. This website introduces you to Mary's brother, a well-known pianist and composer.

Gig Salad Official PromoKit

FAQ's

2008-06-18T14:29:00.001-07:00

General Questions/Booking Information

Q. How can I book Troubadora for my event? A. Call Mary at 907-258-7002 for info. Troubadora is available year round - days, evenings and weekends.

Q. How can I hear your music? A. Some selections are available on this website. Wedding, Events, Memorials. Many of our performances are private events. You may hear us at fundraiser auctions throughout the year, holiday events in November and December. You are welcome to call Mary at 258-7002 with questions or for a consultation. Linda's work # is 278-8880 (after noon, please).

Q. Where do you perform? A. Troubadora is booked for events within driving distance of Anchorage; Fairbanks, Homer, Valdez, and all points in between. We will play at convention halls, churches, gardens, dining rooms, museums, cruise ships, B & B's and restaurants, indoors, and occasionally, out (but not in the rain, sorry!).

Q. What kind of events are best for this duo? A. Cello with lute guitar adds an elegance to any gathering: intimate dinners, gala and corporate events, installation of officials, receptions, fundraisers, political events, garden parties, grand openings and birthday celebrations are all made complete with our music.
Troubadora plays in private homes, Anchorage hotel ballrooms, as well as memorial services, weddings and wine tastings; we are also quite available for cruises and holiday parties!

Space & Equipment Details

Q. How much space do you need? A. We can be amplified to fill a large ballroom or garden or can play in a living room. ? 4' x 6' is enough space.

Q. What kind of equipment do we need to provide? A. Our equipment can be used with existing sound systems or with your DJ's system. We will make sure that your guests will be able to hear and enjoy the music. A vocal mic and an amplifier to plug in 2 instruments is ideal, and we can supply it if you don't have it.

Wedding Concerns

Q. What will a Troubadora's music add to my wedding? A. Choosing our music offers a gift to yourself and your guests. For many, it is a rare opportunity to see a cello being played up close and to experience this memorable elegance. The bride and her family will find the our music soothing and relaxing, uplifting and festive.

Q. Who chooses the music? A. Your consultation can be held at a place mutually agreed upon.. After listening to your description of wedding plans, we will offer suggestions to musically enhance your ideas.

Q. Do you take special requests? A. Special requests are welcome. Troubadora has arranged requests from Lightfoot to Bach. Most anything can be arranged for guitar with cello, including classical, Irish, Scottish, and popular music. Normally Troubadora finds that the most romantic music truly suits the cello, including movie themes, show tunes, damce music, and lovesongs.

Q. Will you play at my ceremony and reception? A. Yes, reception music is available and your rehearsal dinner is another perfect setting for Troubadora's music.

Q. What if my wedding starts late? A. Most weddings do start a few minutes later than scheduled. The cello music will help keep a relaxed mood for your guests, even through a 45 minute delay. Troubadora has a set fee for your wedding. This includes your consultation and any overruns due to delays.

Q. Do you need to attend the wedding rehearsal? A. No. During your consultation, we will discuss the order of your ceremony, and will speak with the officiating minister or priest.

Q. Do you do destination weddings? A. Yes.

Linda's Marsh-Ives Studios

2008-06-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Musician by Day, Artist by Night
And sometimes vice-versa, she does it All! Linda has lived in Homer & Girdwood as well as Anchorage. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, biking, and cross-country skiing, and goes on outdoor painting excursions, collecting photos and sketches. In addition to work with Troubadora, Linda plays cello in the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, the Anchorage Opera, and is a member of various ensembles. She teaches cello, beginning violin, beginning viola, and all sizes of recorders.

Our Offerings

2008-06-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

-- Music for weddings & parties - -- instrumental background -- dinner music -- -- vocals/optional-- banquets -- receptions -- "If we can't help you, we'll try to find someone who can!"

Troubadora has extensive performance experience at weddings, concerts, churches, coffeehouses, restaurants, private parties and festivals.

Linda is an accomplished artist, and longtime member of the Anchorage Symphony. Mary has enjoyed teaching and performing in the Anchorage music community for over thirty years.

Linda Marsh-Ives, cellist 278-8880 Mary Wagner La Fever, lute-guitar 258-7002

What People Say

2008-06-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

"Lively American folk tunes, pretty Irish, Scottish and Civil War ballads, dances, jigs, reels; music for the important occasions in your life and business. Beautiful pairing of guitar and cello, much more than background music! Intricate, rich, sweet colorings.....emotionally captivating, accomplished musicianship.."

Ira Perman President/Executive Director Alaska Humanities Forum

"Whether background music or the main entertainment, Troubadora brings the perfect music for any occasion; uniquely tailoring their sound to your special scenario. You and your guests will be enchantingly carried thru your event via rich sounds of their harmony. "

Beth Knight, CLS, Title Manager, Alyeska Title Guaranty

A special ambience is added when Troubadora is playing. As an off-site caterer, I'm always delighted to hear Troubadora add a special touch to the event."

Kathleen Davis Kathleen's Creative Catering

"Bill and I always enjoy events where Troubadora plays. Mary and Linda have a unique sound that we look forward to every time."

JoMarie Thomson, Crucible Designs

Who We Are

2008-06-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

A chance meeting of two local music teachers several years ago resulted in a unique duo entering the Anchorage music scene. Guitarist Mary Wagner LaFever and cellist Linda Marsh-Ives created Troubadora after Marsh-Ives heard LaFever strumming an unusual guitar at an art show opening 10 years ago. I saw her playing at Side Street Espresso, and went up and asked "what's that?" Marsh-Ives says of LaFever's lute guitar. "Then I told her I was a cellist and she said, 'Do you want to play?' "

Marsh-Ives, who received her degree in performance music from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1990, started rehearsing with LaFever. The pair spent countless hours learning standards, fiddle (cello) tunes, blues, and folk songs, and now have a repertoire of more than 100 songs. Just like mixing dark chocolate with peanut butter, the duo makes sweet music as they play songs like "Sunny" "Wonderful World" and "Ashokan Farewell" at weddings, receptions and coffee houses around town.

"Mary can play by ear," Marsh-Ives says. "She finally got me to be able to improvise, which is a big step for a classical musician. (We get fired if we stray from the written music)." She says she'd probably get fired if she had to sing, too. "It's a good thing Mary sings. I can't remember words. And I tend to stop singing when playing. It's like two different operations with me."

LaFever, a graduate of the University of Washington School of Music, is well known in the Anchorage arts community. She landed on the scene in 1968 when she transferred here with Western Airlines reservations. A year later, she started teaching guitar. To support her teaching style La Fever wrote a self-teach guitar book that focuses on independent learning with online assistance. She says her educational objective is to hook people up with a positive addiction to music. "My passion is folk music and songs with heart," she says. "If it doesn't have a memorable melody line, great lyrics and potential for harmony, it doesn't stay in my song book." She wrote the book covering all the bases with a little theory, note reading, finger picking and songs, in order that anyone can look at the book and find what they need to start playing. In addition to performing as Troubadora, both LaFever and Marsh-Ives continue to teach music.

Marsh-Ives, who's played in the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra since 1980, gives cello, violin, guitar and recorder lessons during the day in her home studio. Marsh-Ives also paints landscapes and portraits. Call 278-8880 for more information or visit www.marsh-ives.com LaFever teaches guitar, piano/keyboard, trumpet and folk instruments. Many students are adults: teachers, parents, counselors and youth workers, other professionals; students younger than 5th grade usually start with baritone ukulele or piano. Anyone interested in lessons, the self-teach book, or to book Troubadora for a gig, can call 258-7002 or send an email to maryla@alaska.com

What does Troubadora do?

2007-12-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

We provide music for your important conference dinner, wedding, reception, office party, wake, birthday, holiday or anniversary celebration. the mood and ambience will be elegant, upbeat, background or festive; it is your call! We can provide theme and special music upon request.

* * * * * * *

We would like to introduce you to some of our friends and favorite websites. Thanks for visiting us, and come around again when you are looking for some music!

Crossroads Leadership Institute
Best management consulting in Alaska, and perhaps the Universe!
Linda Marsh-Ives
Be sure to check out multi-talented Linda's art website. Not only does she play some enchanting cello, her portraits, landscapes and notecards will charm you, too!
Turnagain Community Arts Alliance
Find other teachers of music and arts by going to this site; other websites associated with this group are found at http://turnagainarts.com/websites.htm
Walt Wagner
When you are in Seattle, treat yourself to dinner or dessert at Canlis. This website introduces you to Mary's brother, a well-known pianist and composer.