Maria Gomez began her piano studies at the age of 5 in Havana, Cuba at the Conservatorio Hubert de Blanck. She continued her studies after her family immigrated to the United States in 1961, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied with Robert Darnell. Maria later studied with Barbara Lister-Sink, Director at Salem College's School of Music. Lister-Sink is the creator of the award-winning DVD Freeing the Caged Bird. Maria also studied with Ellen Mack of The Peabody Conservatory, and participated in master classes with Guido Agosti, Howard Karp, and Bela Nagy. After completing her undergraduate studies, Maria built a successful studio in North Carolina, and was also a choir director for nine years. Moving to Baltimore to study with Ellen Mack, she did graduate work in music at Towson University as well. During that time, Maria again established a thriving piano studio, and was an active member of the Baltimore County Music Teachers Association.
 
In 1993, Maria moved to the Fort Lauderdale area and established a studio there. She is an active member of the Broward County Music Teachers Association, serving at various times as recording secretary, Vice President for Membership, Chair of the Competitions Committee, and co-chair of the Student Activities Committee. She is currently Chair of the Programs Committee.  In March 2013, Maria was one of three U.S. teachers invited to participate in Florida State University's First Annual Pre-College Piano Symposium. In 2019, she was invited by Sean Kinnard of Stetson University to present her teaching methods to a pedagogy class, and to teach some of their students.
 
Maria's students range in age from 5 to 18. They have been the recipients of many awards at the local, state, and regional levels. They have given solo and duet recitals, and have performed concerti with local orchestras. Some have performed and received awards in international competitions as well. Several of Maria's students have been awarded scholarships to further their musical education at well-regarded music schools and summer music festivals.
 
Maria strives to provide all her students with a deep respect and appreciation - and for some, a great love - for the music of the great composers, classical music of all periods. She tries to help all students, regardless of their degree of musicality, to connect in a personal way with the music that they're making. She also teaches students how to listen to classical music, and requires them to do so on a regular basis. While many of Maria's students will not choose music as a career, she provides a very solid technical and musical foundation which enables those students who wish to pursue a career in music to succeed on a very high level.  Maria offers aural and written theory lessons, and her students participate in a comprehensive program testing theory knowledge as well as performance. Maria expects parents to be involved in their children's lessons, and to supervise their practice whenever possible; this is especially important for younger children. She is interested in teaching students who are serious about studying classical music. Daily quality practice is a part of that commitment. Maria encourages each student, even those who do not have a natural relationship to music, to strive for excellence in their own playing, regardless of their level of ability.
 
For more about Maria's students' achievements, see Student Videos and  Student Awards.