Marta Palombo

7 Years Teaching Experience

INSTRUMENTS

VoiceAdvanced
SongwritingAdvanced

GENRES

PopAlt/Singer SongwriterClassicalJazzOtherMusical Theater

LANGUAGES

Italian

Mentor Mission Statement

As a mentor at ROOTS Academy, my mission is to help students find their voices by fostering an environment that is creative, curious, empowering, and authentic. I am committed to making my students feel heard and feel free, and I encourage mistakes! Through my teaching, I hope my students walk away with an ability to express themselves both in music and in life, and celebrate their individuality.

about Marta

Marta Palombo’s love for music began early — and unmistakably. One of her first memories is writing a song in the car and proudly performing it for her parents when they got home. Their encouragement, and the joy of creating something expressive, stayed with her. A few years later, in fourth grade, Marta joined choir. The moment the group began singing together, she knew music would always be part of her life!
Singing came naturally, but choir became the place where her craft began to grow. From there, private lessons, ensembles, and music programs shaped her training and deepened her passion. Over time, Marta realized the artists she admired weren’t distant figures—they were people who had built their lives around music. That realization confirmed what she already felt: music was not just a passion, but a calling.
Marta credits her teachers and mentors as some of her greatest influences. Choir directors consistently encouraged her to pursue music more seriously, while her uncle — a devoted metal fan — introduced her to a wide world beyond commercial pop music. His enthusiasm helped shape her love for blending genres as a writer and composer. She began writing choral works, string arrangements, and blending techniques from across genres in her own folk and pop music. After moving to Nashville, she began writing and performing as a solo artist and background vocalist. One of her most formative moments on stage was being able to sing with Josh Groban at the Bridgestone Arena!
At ROOTS Academy, Marta focuses on helping students explore their individuality while building strong vocal foundations in a supportive, creative environment.
Outside of ROOTS, Marta is an independent artist, writer, composer, and arranger.

Teaching Philosophy

Everyone has a unique voice that can perceive, paint, and express the world differently. My job as a voice teacher is to help every individual find that unique voice, and to help them maintain it in a healthy, fun, and natural way. I’m here to develop the voice into something that will tell all of life’s stories, big and small.

Where did you grow up?
“I was born just outside of Florence, Italy. My parents moved to the US when I was very young, and I grew up spending the school years in America and the summers in Italy. As I grew and discovered my passion for music and performance, it became clear that I had to be in a city that lived and breathed music. Alpharetta, GA, where I went to middle and high school, was a lovely place — but not exactly bursting with musical opportunity. Italy, while absolutely beautiful, hasn’t quite gotten to the point where it considers music to be a viable “career.” So, I found a commercial music program I wanted to pursue for college, and I moved to Music City!”

How did you come to be a mentor at ROOTS?
“I knew early on that my ideal post-college adult life would revolve around freelance music jobs and teaching. My goal was to maintain a flexible enough schedule that I could still perform, write, and record, but find a part time teaching job that would allow me to foster a passion for music in others. I had heard of ROOTS and wanted to apply upon graduating, but the pandemic threw all of my plans for a loop. Once I got vaccinated and started the job hunt again, ROOTS was immediately the first place I applied!”

What is your favorite local spot to spend time at?
“The Sylvan Park area! It’s right by my house, so I go take walks, get fancy coffee, kill time…it’s a great little part fo town to find hidden gems.”

What type of student will excel under your mentorship?
“I’m big on artistry and expression. I can (and will) teach technique all day every day with diagrams and vocab and all that jazz, but at the end of the day what I really love to pick apart is the emotional expression of a song and how to mold your voice to convey the feelings and imagery you want. Also…I’ll teach you how to mess up! Learning is all about making mistakes, and I love a student who can proudly and loudly mess up.”

What’s something that makes you laugh out loud?
“I love watching compilation videos of cats doing stupid things. Like when they freak out the minute they see a cucumber?? Priceless.”

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“For a few years, I wanted to be a fashion designer or a costume designer. Then, I discovered music and I knew I wanted to be an artist! I still get to make fun costumes…but now I wear them myself!”

THE ROOTS MENTOR PHILOSOPHY

Our mentors play a crucial role in shaping not just artists but well-rounded individuals equipped with a growth mindset, character, determination, confidence, and grit — skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Beyond the Notes: Our Teaching Philosophy

Our approach to music education goes beyond the traditional. While we undoubtedly focus on developing your musical talent, we understand that life's most valuable lessons extend far beyond the notes on a staff.

Our music mentors are passionate about nurturing your artistic abilities and your personal growth.

At ROOTS, we recognize that music is a powerful vehicle for character development. Our mentors instill qualities like discipline, responsibility, and respect through the art of music. Whether you're mastering the piano or perfecting your vocals, you'll also be enhancing essential life skills.

Learning an instrument or refining your singing takes patience and perseverance. Our mentors are there to guide you through the challenging moments, teaching you the importance of determination and grit – qualities that transcend music and apply to all areas of your life.

Self-confidence is a cornerstone of success. Our mentors help you build it through music by celebrating your achievements and nurturing your self-belief. As you hit those high notes or conquer a complex piece, you'll feel your confidence soar.

When you embark on a musical journey with ROOTS, you're not just gaining proficiency in your chosen instrument. You're also acquiring essential life skills that will serve you well in your academic, professional, and personal endeavors.

At ROOTS, it's not just about the music lessons. It's about the profound impact our music mentors have on your life.

At ROOTS, we are proud to have mentors who are actively engaged in the music industry. They're not just teachers; they're performers, composers, and artists who live and breathe music. This unique perspective enriches your learning experience, providing insights that go beyond the lessons.

In the heart of Music City's vibrant music scene, ROOTS Academy mentors often balance roles as musicians and educators. While their occasional commitments on the road or in the studio may lead to mentor substitutions, we're dedicated to keeping you informed about any lesson changes. In the rare event of an unmissable touring opportunity, rest assured that our team will facilitate a seamless transition to a new mentor.

Join us today to embark on an artistic and personal journey that will shape you into the best version of yourself. Experience the difference of mentorship at ROOTS Academy — where performing arts education becomes a transformative life experience.

THE ROOTS WAY

Our mission is to develop extraordinary artists and exceptional humans through transformative performing arts education. Through music, dance, and theatre, we inspire creativity, nurture character, and empower our students to positively impact their community and the world.

mindset
matters

(How we Think)

We believe mindset shapes not just who we are in the studio, but who we become in the world.

excellence
matters

(What we Do)

We believe excellence flourishes when preparation and vision align with discipline and passion.

people
matter

(How we Act)

We believe in creating spaces where everyone feels safe to create, supported to grow, and inspired to excel.

questions?

If you have any questions about our program, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us. We’re here to help you Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm CST.

EMILY LINDSEY – Music Director
JOSH ASHLEY – Systems & Strategy Manager
MARTA PALOMBO – Music Operations Coordinator
Kinsey Overdeer – Scheduling Coordinator

EMILY LINDSEY
Music Director
JOSH ASHLEY
Music Operations Manager
ALEXYS HALSTENSGARD
Music Operations Coordinator
LORI KAIRDOLF
Schedule & Billing Coordinator