Marta was my violin teacher. She said I was her first student to go to music school. I have fond memories of her. I remember one lesson we tossed an onion back-and-forth to work on rhythm. She was a lot of fun and a good teacher. We even worked on the tune dueling fiddles taken from the dueling banjos movie.

My belated condolences to Marta’s family.   Marta gave my son violin lessons for many years  starting in 1984.  She was the most patient, encouraging teacher I have ever met and she ignited a love of music in my son which has never dimmed—as she did in so many other young people.  What a legacy!  Rest in peace, Marta.  Your music lives on through many others   ❤️

I treasured Marta’s collaboration with me at churches I served for over 20 years at Christmas Eve services. Her leadership of string quartets I utilized for these special services was so appreciated and valued. She is missed for her caring as well as her professionalism.

Marta and I were colleagues with Wake County Public School System as Strings Teachers. Marta helped me to grow as a strings teacher both personally and professional during my 29 years as a teacher with the school system. She was always an advocate for Public School String Programs and both locally and statewide. She will surely be missed.

Winifred Marecheau

Marta was a good friend of my mother’s, and she came to all of my dance recitals in the late 70s and early 80s. She had flowers for me on every occasion. Marta was a mega-talented lady, and I feel so lucky to have known her. The world is a better place because she was in it. Sending my love to Merritt and Miles...

Marta was a beautiful woman, inside and out.  Her reputation as a truly gifted musician is well established.   I have two wonderful memories of Marta that show what an incredibly  kind and compassionate  human she was.  (I share this memory because it still means the world to me.) During a very difficult time for me and my family in 2007,  Marta walked up to me one day in the hall near the main office at Athens. She struck up a conversation, which was nice, since we worked in different parts of the building and didn't run into each other often. The bell rang  and Marta reached into her pocket, pulled out some cash, and said, "Well look at this. I just found this in my pocket.  Here, you take it".  She literally placed the cash in my hand, and turned and walked away. I was, at first, completely dumbfounded. It took me a long minute to understand what this cash was for. Marta wanted to help, without giving me a chance to tell her that I was fine and didn't really need anything. She knew I wasn't fine and needed many things. To this day, I'm still touched when I recall this encounter. Marta  demonstrated her compassion and empathy in a tangible way, and wanted absolutely no recognition. I'm  not the only recipient of her generosity, as many of us would find her beautiful hand made origami ornaments in our teacher mailboxes throughout the year. (It took me several years to figure out who placed them in my mailbox,  which is yet another example of Marta not needing recognition for generosity.) When I joined the Athens Drive High School faculty in 1992, she was already a legendary Orchestra instructor at our school. Through the years we often shared students (I taught English) and they appreciated Marta as a brilliant instructor. It was a treat each time I could attend a concert and hear her students perform, but it was even more special to listen to Marta perform beautiful music. Special isn't the best adjective to describe listening to her perform; it was magical.  In 2014, seven years after she placed her gift in my hand, she beautifully played violin at my wedding. It was indeed magical! I'm heartbroken to lose such a beautiful spirit.  Miles, my thoughts and prayers go with you .

I am so sorry to hear about Marta's passing. She was my orchestra instructor at Athens Drive High School in 2009/2010. I remember her delicious breakfast egg casseroles she would bring in for our potlucks.  She was such an incredible violinist and teacher! She will be deeply missed.

I was so fortunate to study under Marta through my middle and high school years (87-94).  I have countless memories and still proudly display the ornaments she made me each year on our Christmas tree.  She taught me appreciation for fine arts, and embodied passion for teaching music to all.

Her greatest gift, and my most precious memory, was her organizing a quartet and playing for my wedding in 1996.  RIP Mrs. Partridge.  ❤️

Marta was indeed a force. Though we lost contact over the decades, I will always remember her passion concerning music in the public schools. As I recall, in the late 70’s early 80’s she served several schools and tried to correct the lamentable situation of the low status of arts in the schools, especially as pertained to the strings program when classes were often held in the utility brooms.  She was someone who tried her best at all times and I had the world of respect for her. 

I was in TYS under Mrs. Partridge. Someone just happened to snap this picture and put it in the archives, which I feel sums her up well. She was always so encouraging, kept her standards high, but always made me feel like I could make great music. Thank you for your contribution to making me who I am today. — with Josh Deng

I played Violin when I was a child. I had to stop due to a move. Many, many years later, I became a guitar player. One day, I was buying some strings, and I started inquiring about a Violin. I picked it up and started playing the few scales I could remember. A woman was browsing nearby and came over, touching my shoulder and whispering in my ear, "You are a Natural." I smiled and said my thanks and put the instrument down. After she left, the person helping me told me that the woman who had just said that was Marta Partridge! I knew who she was, and I have been friends with Miles for years. I still think about those words she told me. I think of it as a blessing to have had her grace. She was a force!

Marta Partridge was truly a force of nature, an inspiration to so many; we should all aspire to be remembered as fondly as she.  

Miles, Your mom was a great friend of mine for years.  I’ll remember her for many reasons especially her ability to see a need and make it happen.  Her laughter was so infectious and I could hear her coming! She left a huge imprint on the music world in the Raleigh area which has now spread as her students fan out through the country.  My deepest sympathy, Donna

Marta was an amazing person to her core. I have so many memories with her from my time at Cary high in her strings class for 3 years (2009-2011). She has been one of the most pivotal people in my life and loved staying connected with her post graduation. 

She was extremely genuine, caring and loved teaching her students. I know teaching high schoolers is a task but she managed to do it so well. For that, I am forever grateful and miss hear dearly  

Rest in peace Marta 🩷