Pianist Ellen R. Sommer is an internationally acclaimed collaborative pianist, chamber musician and coach. Recent successes include a chamber recital performance at the Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture with Maria Newman, Scott Hosfeld and instrumentalists from the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, and a series of concerts and masterclasses at the Universidad de Costa Rica and Casa de la Música Quito, Ecuador.

Sommer can be heard on numerous professional recordings, including releases on Potenza Music, The Gorgeous Nothings featuring works by composer Ingrid Stölzel (Navona Records/PARMA Recordings) and Tone Studies with saxophonist Nicolas May (Albany Records).

She is a founding member of the Allégresse trio, which has been the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces: Chamber Music Grant and has performed internationally.

Sommer serves as a pianist for regional, national and international conferences, competitions and festivals as well as concert series and radio broadcasts. She is currently an associate professor of the practice at the University of Kansas School of Music, teaching collaborative piano. She performs regularly with faculty, visiting artists and students.