About Cie
Photo by
Cenus “Cie” Brunetta Franzia is a teacher of the piano in her new studio at Annunciation School in Stockton, CA as well as giving private lessons in her home. Cenus has enjoyed a teaching career spanning 50 years. She started teaching piano as an undergraduate student at the University of the Pacific Conservatory. Cenus began her music education in piano at the age of six and continued her studies in earnest at 11 under the guidance of Mary Bowling, her mentor and teacher – a UOP professor of piano and composition. She is also a graduate of St. Mary’s High School. UOP Conservatory of Music was always her number one choice in order to continue her training in piano and performance under Mary Bowling. Upon graduation (cum laude), she earned a double major degree in Music (Bachelor of Music in Piano and Performance) and French.
At 18, Cenus was the winner of the Young People’s Competition. She played the Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor with the Stockton symphony under Manlio Silva, the conductor and founder of the Stockton symphony. Cenus extended her education at UOP to earn a secondary teaching credential in Music and French. All the while, she continued her graduate piano studies with Mary Bowling, performing in numerous programs and solo recitals at the university and locally. She was elected to membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, a national honorary music society. In southern California, Cenus earned a Master of Science in TESOL from California State University, Fullerton.
​
Cenus has come full circle. After having lived in southern California for 38 years, she considers herself blessed to have returned to Stockton to continue her love and passion of teaching piano and performing in the Stockton area. It is interesting to note that her 8th grade was the first graduating class from Annunciation in 1961. She finds herself walking the same floors, but now as a piano teacher and grandmother of 14.
Today, Cenus continues to foster her passion for the piano and love of teaching. She considers teaching to be one of her most rewarding experiences. She is an enthusiastic supporter of young musicians.
