Mary Beth Purchase is an active teacher and adjudicator, opening her studio in 1986. She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University (FAU), earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music, Summa Cum Laude. She continued in graduate studies of piano and pedagogy with the internationally acclaimed Judith Burganger, FAU’s Artist in Residence. She was a fully licensed Kindermusik teacher and Mayron Cole certified group instructor. She is presently a private teacher of piano and music theory.

Mrs. Purchase  is nationally certified by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) as well as state certified by the Florida State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA). Mrs. Purchase has been inducted into the National Guild of Piano Teachers Hall of Fame and is listed on the National Honor Roll of the American College of Musicians. She is certified to adjudicate by FSMTA at all levels. She also adjudicates for the National Guild of Piano Teachers, the Federated Music Clubs of America and other entities as requested.

Mary Beth has voluntarily served in MTNA affiliates since 1996 and is presently the President of the FSMT Foundation and a lifetime Director of FSMTA. Her previously held offices include President of the Florida State Music Teachers Association, FSMTA President-Elect, FSMTA Vice President for District and Local Presidents, FSMTA District VI President, and Broward County Music Teachers Association (BCTMA) President. Mary Beth presently serves as a BCMTA Director. She also served a seven year tenure for the city of Pompano Beach as the Chair of their Cultural Arts Advisory Board.

She presently serves FSMTA as the District 6 President and Pompano Beach as the BCMTA Co-Chair of the Pompano Beach Children in the Arts Piano Competition. Her tenure as Co-Chair also began in 1996. This event has earned a prestigious reputation throughout Florida for recognizing South Florida’s most promising and gifted young pianists.

Mrs. Purchase enjoys teaching students of all skill levels and specializes in preparing students for college auditions. She has had multiple students who have auditioned and been accepted to prestigious schools of music, all receiving scholarships. These former students are currently majoring in music and music related fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some having graduated, are now pursuing successful careers in the field of music. 

She maintains a teaching studio in Pompano Beach, Florida, where she resides with her husband, Edward.  Their four children are married and have blessed their parents with 17 grandchildren and one on the way!