Marie-Therese Gummer is an award-winning pianist, pedagogue, and co-author of the Pianokids® series. She holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from The Hartt School, University of Hartford, where she was a faculty member in both the undergraduate and community divisions. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Graduate Diploma in Baroque Studies (harpsichord) from the University of Toronto. At the age of 14, she earned her Associate Diploma (ARCT) in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she studied for several years as a scholarship recipient in the Young Artist Performance Academy. Her formative training also included summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Indiana University, and additional studies in Europe. A dedicated teacher and leader in the music education community, Ms. Gummer currently serves on the Executive Council of the Whitby Branch, Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association. She is active across Ontario as an adjudicator, holding membership with the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association, as well as a teacher trainer and workshop clinician. She is widely recognized for her expertise in early childhood music education, piano pedagogy, and performance practice. Beyond her professional commitments, Ms. Gummer is a passionate community volunteer. She serves as an Adoption Screener with Team Cat Rescue, is an active member at a local church and enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time with her husband and two young daughters.