Life & Work with Tweena Vuong of Santa Ana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tweena Vuong

Hi Tweena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My dad, who was self-taught, was my first piano teacher and began teaching me around the age of 4.

When I was 10 years old, the organist at our church had to leave, creating an opening for a new accompanist. At the audition, there were those who doubted my young age and skills so my dad said, “Get over to that piano and play ‘A Whole New World’!” — a song I had just learned — and that’s how it all began!

I have been performing professionally for more than 25 years now, from concerts to musical theater, bands, choirs, and hundreds of special events. Though my real love is sharing this gift. I love to teach, and give 110% to our students to help them learn and reach their music goals. Now, I teach at my music studio in Santa Ana and am living my dream life- teaching kids, playing piano, making music, and having fun!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A Journey of Passion, Persistence, and Purpose

Being a small business owner has been a windy, up and down rollercoaster ride and I’ve loved every moment of it. There’s something about the unpredictability that makes it all the more rewarding.

When I was 18, I began teaching piano to a handful of kids whose parents had seen and heard me play at church. I charged a low rate per hour, and taught about 5-7 students that filled my entire day with the drives from house to house. It was tiring though fun to be my own boss. I also worked three other jobs that included church accompanying, medical billing, and bartending. Teaching piano felt different though; it didn’t feel like work. It was fulfilling, and I could see myself building something bigger.

After college and a year of traveling, I decided to take the leap and open up my own studio to teach from. I found a little photography suite inside a historical building in Santa Ana that mainly rented out spaces to artists and creatives. It was perfect. I signed the lease and opened my studio door, thinking my current load of about 12 students would follow me. Only 2 of them did. Renting the space at that time was $800 a month and I was barely making a quarter of the rent. I remember sitting there with the 2 electric keyboards I’d bought on sale at Costco, literally twiddling my thumbs and waiting for students to come in.

I also REFUSED TO FAIL. In Santa Ana, there is an Artwalk every first Saturday of the month, where artists in the building can open up their suites to the public to display art, perform, and basically sell their products or services. I began performing with some of my musical friends during the Artwalk nights to let people know I was there and taught piano lessons. Along with putting out a few ads, passing out flyers, and offering complimentary trial lessons, I slowly began gaining a few more students, mainly through word of mouth.

Fast forward 15 years to today, we now have the most beautiful space in the building, and hold our lessons in what was once the famous Daninger’s Tea Room, where Hollywood stars like Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and Rita Hayworth enjoyed tea and treats. The studio currently has about 80 happy students walking through its doors, where I share the space with a colleague who teaches voice lessons. Together, we create a symphony of sound as students explore their musical talents and passions.

It hasn’t been easy learning how to wear all the hats- being my own boss, manager, accountant, marketer, visionary, salesperson, customer service representative, operations manager, IT support, teacher, nurse, therapist, among the countless other roles. It IS worth it, though. Every “failure” is an opportunity to face the challenge, re-direct, and grow. Every win, big or small, is a reason to celebrate and keep moving forward. I get to troubleshoot and solve problems for my business all the while having the best time doing what I love, making music and sharing joy with others.

I am a huge believer in the power of persistence, passion, and that every step, no matter how challenging, is a stepping stone toward a dream realized. It’s how I live my life and an important part of the lessons we teach at SmartMuse Piano, where it’s not just about teaching music- it’s about teaching life lessons.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At SmartMuse Piano, we specialize in much more than just teaching music—we create an environment where students are inspired, uplifted, and encouraged to take positive action toward their dreams. Our approach to music education is holistic, combining technical skill development with a focus on personal growth, creativity, and goal-setting. We believe in the transformative power of music and its ability to shape not just musical talent, but the heart and mind.

What sets us apart is our unique blend of piano lessons, music camps, performance opportunities, and events like vision board parties. We offer a community where students are encouraged to see their music journey as a reflection of their larger life goals. We’ve even created our own Music & Magic journals, which are more than just homework planners. These journals are a space for creativity, self-reflection, and goal-setting—helping our students take ownership of their dreams, both musical and personal.

What I’m most proud of is how our students don’t just become accomplished musicians—they become joyful, confident, and empowered individuals. At SmartMuse, we nurture the whole person, and that’s what truly sets us apart. We’re known for inspiring a love for music that lasts a lifetime and for creating a supportive, positive community where everyone’s dreams are valued.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Growing up in Santa Ana has given me a deep love and appreciation for this city. It’s a place rich in cultural heritage, with a thriving arts community that continues to grow and evolve. To me, it’s the perfect blend of historic charm and modern innovation, where the past and future coexist in a dynamic, vibrant way.

One area I do feel passionate about, though, is the need for better facilities to support the homeless population in our city. I believe they are an integral part of our community, and we have a responsibility to take care of one another. While others may have different perspectives, this is a cause that I strongly feel needs more attention. It’s important to me that we come together as a community to find meaningful solutions for those who may be struggling.

Pricing:

• Music & Magic journal $35

Contact Info:

• Website: https://smartmusepiano.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartmusepiano?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartmusepiano?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@smartmusepianostudio?si=KIDIqCRT8g_Ka0AV
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/uTKaFhyRlx

Image Credits
Benedick David Photography