Karen Ziegler has taught piano in Colorado for many years, teaching a combination of private lessons and group lessons. It was through her group teaching experiences that she created the book "Activity Maestro", in 1996, in order to share her ideas and materials. This began her adventure into the publishing world and she has enjoyed every step of the way!

Karen is very active in her local MTNA chapter and Federated Music Club where she has held many positions and chaired many different festivals.

Karen has given workshops to music teachers in Colorado on group lesson teaching, judged for various piano festivals and competitions along Colorado's Front Range and taught theory at Suzuki institutes. She currently volunteers for her local arts chapter, the Longmont Council for the Arts.

Karen also enjoyed the opportunity to own her own music store, Take Note, in Boulder, CO for quite a few years. Karen is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, College of Music.

Christine Schumann is a composer and composition teacher in Loveland, Colorado. She is also a current blogger for MusicTeachersHelper.com where she shares her creative ideas and insights on improvisation and composition. Christine received her music training from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, the University of Colorado, Boulder and Colorado State University. She received a Bachelor of Music with emphasis on bassoon and piano performance. Her post graduate studies have included work in composition and theory.

Christine has had the honor of writing music for the BAMTA Multiple Piano Festival and a German documentary film. She has three award winning works to date: "Emerald Memories" (piano duet), "Three Homages" (piano solo) and "Jazzy Bones" (flute and piano duet). Her students have received many awards and honors for their compositions.

Christine plays keyboards with a contemporary Christian worship band. She is currently working on a CD project of piano music.