Nissa Arrey has been teaching music for nearly 30 years, getting an early start in her hometown of Huron, SD, where she had her own studio of 10 violin students before even graduating high school. After years of eagerly waiting to play the violin, she finally got her hands on one in 4th grade and quickly fell in love with it, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A lifelong learner, Nissa has deeply studied various teaching pedagogies—including Paul Rolland, Kato Havas, Mimi Zweig, and Suzuki—and has attended string teaching workshops across the country. Her background also includes an apprenticeship in string instrument repair and certifications in yoga, which she integrates into her teaching to help students with body alignment, injury prevention, and performance mindset.
Her teaching style is fun-loving, entertaining, and encouraging, with a balance of structure and creativity. She loves working with students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, but particularly enjoys those early formative years (ages 5-8) when kids are naturally creative, as well as helping intermediate players transition into more advanced repertoire. Seeing students grow, find their passion, and develop their own musical voices is one of her greatest joys. She also helps students prepare for auditions and performances, focusing on everything from technique and stage presence to mindset and overcoming performance anxiety.
Nissa's musical tastes are as wide-ranging as her teaching, with a love for Romantic-era music, Spanish and gypsy pieces, and the thrill of teaching fiddle tunes by ear. Outside of music, she enjoys stand-up paddleboarding with her dog, Mr. P, and cooking while singing around the kitchen. As a performer, she freelances as a violinist with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra and has played in various regional bands as a lead singer, electric violinist, fiddler, guitarist, and mandolinist. She brings that same diverse energy into her teaching, helping students explore and enjoy music in all its forms.
"Nissa has been an absolute inspiration for our daughter for the past 5 years now! She is so positive and enthusiastic! I have watched her help build poise and confidence in many of her students over the years! Marina absolutely adores her and looks forward to each lesson and recital! Her studio are warm and inviting. Nissa has a way of getting to know each student at their own level and making them feel good about what they are doing. She is an incredible teacher!"
Alisa K.
"Nissa has a way of getting to know each student."
"Nissa is so good at reading her students and their preferences for music."
"My daughter has been taking lessons with Nissa for about four years. Sarah's sixth-grade teacher recommended Nissa. I am so very glad we went with the recommendation."
"Nissa has helped Sarah discover so many things about playing the violin and the music that is available. Sarah discovered how very much she enjoys playing fiddle tunes. She has joined the different groups Nissa has organized and performed around the city and state, come to think of it. Sarah has been involved with special day-long workshops put on by a variety of celebrities in circles as well."
"Nissa is so good at reading her students and their preferences for music. You can see this during recitals. The variety of genres present in the selections the students play is amazing and show Nissa's ability to be flexible with her violinist."
"The recitals Nissa organizes are wonderful. She is generous with her praise, fun and entertaining. There is always a lovely reception following. It is a time for community and celebration for family and friends of the students."
"I am so glad my daughter is able to work with Nissa. They have so much fun together at lessons. Sarah learns and grows all the time along with developing a great joy for playing the violin.”
"Nissa is an awesome teacher! She makes learning to play the violin fun and easy to understand. She always encourages me and helps me to be the best musician I can be."
Morgan M.
