piano lessons by marsha tanny

Personalized In-Home Piano Lessons in South Orange County

Learn the music you love—from a passionate, experienced

teacher who brings the lessons to you.

Marsha Tanny is a professional with 20 years teaching experience.

Part of her philosophy is to teach students music they love which makes learning fun.

She teaches all styles; popular, classical, jazz and showtunes to name a few. Degreed in both music and child development, Marsha teaches each student with a unique and sophisticated approach.

Lessons are taught in your home and vary in length depending on the age of the student.

piano lessons by marsha tanny

Personalized In-Home Piano Lessons in South Orange County

Learn the music you love—from a passionate, experienced

teacher who brings the lessons to you.

Marsha Tanny is a professional with 20 years teaching experience.

Part of her philosophy is to teach students music they love which makes learning fun.

She teaches all styles; popular, classical, jazz and showtunes to name a few. Degreed in both music and child development, Marsha teaches each student with a unique and sophisticated approach.

Lessons are taught in your home and vary in length depending on the age of the student.

Why LEARN PIANO?

A study was released finding that music education, specifically piano, in young children produces changes in the brain which enhance children’s abstract reasoning skills. These skills are needed to learn math and science, to play chess and to master many concepts of engineering.

Dr. Francis Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California linked piano keyboard lessons to having a direct effect on the development of the brain’s neural circuitry – actually improving intellectual development.

In other words, research points out that early piano training helps to create and maintain certain “connections’ in children’s brains that may not otherwise form.

Why LEARN PIANO?

A study was released finding that music education, specifically piano, in young children produces changes in the brain which enhance children’s abstract reasoning skills. These skills are needed to learn math and science, to play chess and to master many concepts of engineering.

Dr. Francis Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California linked piano keyboard lessons to having a direct effect on the development of the brain’s neural circuitry – actually improving intellectual development.

In other words, research points out that early piano training helps to create and maintain certain “connections’ in children’s brains that may not otherwise form.

MARSHA'S story

Marsha Tanny is a professional piano teacher with over 20 years of experience. With degrees in both music and child development, her teaching style is warm, encouraging, and uniquely tailored to each student.

MARSHA'S story

Marsha Tanny is a professional piano teacher with over 20 years of experience. With degrees in both music and child development, her teaching style is warm, encouraging, and uniquely tailored to each student.

Why Students Love Learning with Marsha

Music they love: classical, jazz, showtunes, and more

Fun and personalized learning

Lessons taught in the comfort of your own home

Building Confidence,
One Note at a Time

Learning to play piano at a young age builds more than musical talent—it develops focus, confidence, and discipline that carry over into every aspect of a child’s life. As children master notes and rhythms, they also begin to believe in their own abilities, one key at a time.

A Creative Outlet for Growing Minds

Marsha’s one-on-one lessons are tailored to fit teenage learners, blending structure with personal style. Whether learning a classical piece or a favorite pop song, students gain valuable tools in time management, patience, and self-expression.

It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Marsha’s family-focused teaching style makes learning fun for all ages, building not just musical talent but treasured memories. Piano recitals become family milestones, where each song performed reflects the time, care, and joy invested.

Music That Brings
Families Together

Marsha works with each adult student to match lessons with their goals and pace. The process of learning music sharpens the mind, reduces stress, and offers a deep sense of satisfaction as pieces come together—note by note, week by week.

Why Students Love Learning with Marsha

Music they love: classical, jazz, showtunes, and more

Fun and personalized learning

Lessons taught in the comfort of your own home

Building Confidence,
One Note at a Time

Learning to play piano at a young age builds more than musical talent—it develops focus, confidence, and discipline that carry over into every aspect of a child’s life. As children master notes and rhythms, they also begin to believe in their own abilities, one key at a time.

A Creative Outlet for Growing Minds

Marsha’s one-on-one lessons are tailored to fit teenage learners, blending structure with personal style. Whether learning a classical piece or a favorite pop song, students gain valuable tools in time management, patience, and self-expression.

It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Marsha’s family-focused teaching style makes learning fun for all ages, building not just musical talent but treasured memories. Piano recitals become family milestones, where each song performed reflects the time, care, and joy invested.

Music That Brings
Families Together

Marsha works with each adult student to match lessons with their goals and pace. The process of learning music sharpens the mind, reduces stress, and offers a deep sense of satisfaction as pieces come together—note by note, week by week.

testimonials

Review for Miss Marsha – A Wonderful Piano Teacher

I cannot express enough how grateful we are to have Miss Marsha as my daughter's piano teacher for the past several years. From the very first lesson, it was clear that Miss Marsha possesses not only an incredible talent for piano but also a remarkable ability to teach.

Her kindness and patience create a nurturing environment where my daughter feels comfortable and inspired to learn. Miss Marsha goes beyond just teaching piano; she has helped my daughter develop a strong foundation in reading music, making it an enjoyable and enriching experience.

What truly sets Miss Marsha apart is her extensive knowledge and experience in music education. She has a deep understanding of the nuances of teaching piano, and it shows in her thoughtful approach to each lesson. She tailors her instruction to meet my daughter's unique needs, ensuring that each session is both engaging and educational.

If you're looking for a dedicated, intelligent, and passionate piano teacher, I wholeheartedly recommend Miss Marsha. She has made a significant impact on my daughter's musical journey, and I am confident she will do the same for any student fortunate enough to learn from her. Thank you, Miss Marsha, for your unwavering support and guidance!

Maryum S.

Kari

I've been taking lessons from Ms. Marsha since 2004. I have not only learned to play the piano classically trained but to also develop the love of music such that it is my artistic expression in life.

Mary Jane

I highly recommend Marsha as a piano teacher. I have had the pleasure of attending her students' recitals and never cease to be amazed by their level of expertise. They obviously adore her and truly enjoy the recitals and instruction.

I studied piano for several years myself and appreciate Marsha's careful and patient style. She is one who truly cares about each and every student while sharing 30 years of experience. Thank you.

Clayton

Learning to play the piano over the past nine years with Marsha has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Through her teaching I have learned not only to play and read music, but to understand the fundamentals behind the creation and performance of it as well. She has instilled in me a passion and respect for music that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Stephen

I began my piano lessons in the 3rd grade. My mother selected Ms. Tanny following the recommendation from a few friends. Looking back now, during my junior year of college, I am very thankful that my mother chose Ms. Tanny as my piano teacher. Throughout my 8 years of lessons I, of course, learned all the basics of playing the piano. However, I also received instructions in Western Music Theory far beyond what my friends learned from other teachers. I learned a great amount of notation and music writing skills, gained a thorough understanding of the history and development of music from the early classical composers onward, a developed a strong grasp on scales; not just major scales and natural minor scales, but also the harmonic and melodic minor scales, their respective chords, the types of intervals used in the scales, and the ability to distinguish between differing intervals simply by ear. That is just a quick snapshot of a few of the things I learned above and beyond how to play the piano with excellent form.

At the time (ages 8-15) I wasn't too thrilled about learning that type of information, but Ms. Tanny was encouraging and helped me to persevere and stick with it. Now, taking a few music classes in college, I appreciate even more the excellent musical education I received and realize that during my time with Ms. Tanny I learned far beyond the scope of even my college music classes.

Maryam

I have known Marsha for ten years now. Before starting lessons with Marsha, my older daughter had taken lessons with another teacher for almost two years. The progress she made during her first 3 months with Marsha proved what a wonderful teacher she is and exceeded my expectations. Practicing the piano was no longer a chore, but rather an activity that she enjoyed. With every lesson she became a better piano player, thus causing her to have more confidence in herself.

Witnessing my daughter’s constant growth in Piano, enthused my younger son and daughter to take lessons with Marsha. Playing the piano was instrumental in advancing their academics, and showed improved evidence in their grades.

Marsha is a teacher with lots of experience and dedication who has the ability to achieve fine results from her students. This is evident in the performance of her students during the May piano recital.

My children’s rapid transformation to becoming enthusiastic and talented musicians inspired me to take lessons with Marsha. She is persistent, inspiring and very meticulous with every lesson. Marsha has been able to impart her own enthusiasm for the piano to my family.

Meera

I have known Marsha for almost a year now, and I feel very fortunate to have her as my piano teacher. When I was younger I had a piano teacher who made the whole process of learning boring and uninteresting. Eventually I stopped playing the piano because of the boredom, but a few months ago I started taking lessons once again. I never thought playing the piano could be so much fun, and I think Marsha's way of teaching is why it has been such a blast. Marsha allows the student to choose the music they prefer to play, and makes the process of learning the piano simple and easy!

Lisa

Marsha’s patience, flexibility and understanding over the last nine years have been a key component to my children’s education.

At the time (ages 8-15) I wasn't too thrilled about learning that type of information, but Ms. Tanny was encouraging and helped me to persevere and stick with it. Now, taking a few music classes in college, I appreciate even more the excellent musical education I received and realize that during my time with Ms. Tanny I learned far beyond the scope of even my college music classes.

Lynn

After not having studied or even played a piano for over 40 years, Marsha has given me the confidence to push myself beyond my comfort zone. She makes sure that I have pieces that I enjoy and that are also difficult enough that I have to practice to be able to play them well and feel a sense of accomplishment.Witnessing my daughter’s constant growth in Piano, enthused my younger son and daughter to take lessons with Marsha. Playing the piano was instrumental in advancing their academics, and showed improved evidence in their grades.

Marsha is a teacher with lots of experience and dedication who has the ability to achieve fine results from her students. This is evident in the performance of her students during the May piano recital.

My children’s rapid transformation to becoming enthusiastic and talented musicians inspired me to take lessons with Marsha. She is persistent, inspiring and very meticulous with every lesson. Marsha has been able to impart her own enthusiasm for the piano to my family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages do you teach?

Marsha teaches students ages 7 and up—including children, teens, adults, and even seniors. Lessons are customized to fit the age, experience, and goals of each individual student.

Do I need a piano at home to start lessons?

Yes, having access to a piano or full-sized keyboard is essential for practicing between lessons. A well-weighted keyboard with 88 keys is recommended for beginners who don’t yet have a traditional piano.

What music will I learn to play?

Marsha teaches all styles of music—classical, jazz, show tunes, pop, and more. She encourages students to help choose songs they enjoy, making learning both fun and personally meaningful.

How long are lessons, and how often do they occur?

Lessons are offered weekly in 45-, or 60-minute sessions depending on the student’s age and experience. Most younger students begin with 30 minutes and may increase over time.

Where do the lessons take place?

All lessons are taught in the comfort of your own home. Marsha travels throughout South Orange County, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Hills, Coto de Caza, and surrounding areas.

How much do lessons cost?

Lesson pricing varies depending on the lesson length and location. Rates are discussed during your “get acquainted” meeting.