Professor Māra Marnauza has graduated with a distinction the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian State Conservatory Choir Conducting Department (1987), conducting class of prof. Mendelis Bašs (1982–1987), earned pedagogical doctoral scientific degree in music pedagogy at the University of Latvia (2000). M. Marnauza is the founder, conductor, and artistic director of the winners of international choir competitions – the chamber choir Fortius (1985) and the female choir BALTA (1999).
- Chief conductor of the XXV General Latvian Song Festival (2013), the Baltic States’ Student Song Festival Gaudeamus (1999; 2004; 2006; 2011, 2014).
- Received the jury’s Best Conductor’s Prize at the XIX International Sacred Choral Music Competition in Námestovo in Slovakia and at the Emilis Melngailis Folk Music Competition in Latvia.
- INTERKULTUR Jury member of the 4th International Anton Bruckner Choir Competition, Austria (2013).
- Published a monograph: Marnauza, M., Bass, M. Conducting methodology (2012), many choir music CDs and DVDs.