Empowered Music Studio

"As a piano teacher, my goal is to provide a well-balanced musical education for you or your children. I will give each student my personal attention and tailor the curriculum to their needs. The lesson plans include a balance of theory, ear training, sight reading, and music repertoire appropriate to the student's level of proficiency. My goal is to guide students to a greater understanding and enjoyment of music."

Laura McManus, the owner of Empowered Music Studio, has provided exceptional music education for over 25 years. In addition to her piano instruction, she has provided music theory group lessons and served as an early-intervention senior therapist for children with special needs for more than 10 years. 

Laura’s experience informs her current teaching methodology, where she is focused on instilling dedication, self-expression, motivation, and a sense of confidence in students through their musical study. Students of all ages and levels have gone on to win medals and place in both regional and local festivals, and her studio proudly boasts several recent graduates who have gone on to studied music with fantastic scholarship support. She works to actively support other music educators, and currently serves as the Festival Director for the South Coast Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California. 

Laura McManus holds a Masters in Arts (MA) in Piano Performance from California State University, Fullerton. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Piano Performance and a Bachelor (BA) in Psychology, both from the University of California, Irvine. Her primary teachers include Professor Alison Edwards, Dr. Lorna Griffitt, Professor Pamela Worcester, and Dr. Aija Kim. 

Outside of music, Laura helps to organize the SoCal VegFest, an annual vegan food festival in Orange County which aims to raise awareness about the environment, animal welfare, and healthy living. In her free time she also enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband and two furry kids, as well as playing in competitive tennis matches.