Toronto-based pianist Lynna Bao holds a BMus from University of Toronto under Lydia Wong and an MMus from Cleveland Institute of Music under Daniel Shapiro. Recognized for her “intelligent, musically sophisticated playing” and “a nice blend of heart and mind” (Steven Philcox), she has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, presenting recitals at Cleveland Museum of Natural History in the US, Steinway and Sons Shanghai in China, Teatro Communale in Todi, Italy, among others. Lynna started playing the piano at the age of 4. At 13, she was awarded a piano for winning first place in Hailun Star of Hope Piano Competition. Since moving to Canada at 16, she has been awarded multiple gold and platinum prizes in Canadian Music Competition and Kiwanis Festival. She has performed in masterclasses for André Laplante, John Perry, Ronan O’Hora, Gabriela Montero, Michail Lifits and others.

Lynna is an organist in addition to being a pianist, having served previously as the Organ Scholar at Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights. In her spare time, she is also an avid songwriter and composer. Her original music has received enthusiastic reviews on YouTube and is enjoyed by her students.

Lynna loves to teach and finds great joy in watching her students grow. Her teaching philosophy—influenced by her mentors, including the renowned Chinese pedagogue Shuxing Zheng (retired Head of Piano at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music) and Dr. Daniel Shapiro—focuses on developing a healthy piano facility that is rooted in music and personal to the individual. As a composer, she also enjoys teaching music theory and ear training, and encourages her students to be creative at the keyboard. Having taught students ages 5 to 22, Lynna has helped many build lasting relationships with the piano and, in turn, has learned a great deal from their kindness, resilience, and love of music.