Why Marzena
Marzena Wiszowata Jones is more than a pianist, choral conductor, classical singer, and musicologist — she is an artist with music woven into her very DNA. Born, raised, and educated in Poland, the land of Chopin, she says, “I am an insider. I have his music running through my veins.”
Her musical journey began at the age of four with piano and Dalcroze/Orff Eurhythmics, under Poland’s prestigious state-sponsored music school system, renowned for its rigorous European standards. From her earliest lessons to earning dual Master's degrees — one in Piano and Choral Conducting from the State College of Music in Gdańsk, the other in Musicology from the University of Warsaw — her passion for learning and excellence never slowed.
While studying musicology, Marzena worked alongside Tadeusz Maciejewski, one of Poland’s leading scholars, uncovering medieval music manuscripts in centuries-old monasteries — an experience that deepened her connection to European musical heritage. Later, she expanded her expertise into child psychology and jazz piano, adding new dimensions to her mastery as both performer and educator.
Marzena Wiszowata Jones — Bringing Music to Life
Marzena began teaching at just 16, and her work has since spanned three countries: Italy, the United States, and her native Poland. Since settling in Pleasanton, CA in 2002, she has built a world-class teaching studio centered on two magnificent Steinway grand pianos.
Certified in Yamaha Music Education and Kindermusik, Marzena has introduced children as young as three to the joy of music, guiding them into becoming accomplished, confident musicians. As an active member of the California Association of Music Teachers, she prepares students for the Certificate of Merit program — with remarkable results: every year, 85–90% of her students earn State Honors for ratings of “Good” or “Excellent.”
Her excellence extends into the adjudication arena as well. A Piano Guild judge and Chair of the Pleasanton Audition Center for the American College of Musicians, she is proud to see her students consistently achieve the highest Piano Guild ratings — “Superior” and “Superior Plus” — and win top prizes at the U.S. Open Music Competition. Her outstanding results have earned her annual recognition on the National Honor Roll of Piano Guild Teachers since 2018.
Adjudicators’ comments about her students tell the story best:
“Chopin himself would be proud of you!”
“You captured the essence of the music perfectly!”
A Lifetime of Inspiring Students
Marzena’s artistry extends beyond the keyboard. She is also a gifted choir leader and vocal coach. After years of performing with the California Revels, she became Artistic Director of their Children’s Chorus — with her ensembles acclaimed as the best in the company’s 35-year history.
A true polymath, she has learned seven languages, which she considers “just another form of music.”
Whether introducing a preschooler to their first piano keys or coaching an advanced student toward a competition win, Marzena brings unmatched expertise, deep cultural insight, and a passion that inspires a lifelong love for music. In a studio featuring two Steinway grand pianos, students discover not only how to play beautifully, but how to think, feel, and communicate through music.
Beyond the Piano
Two Steinways. One extraordinary teacher. Endless possibilities.
