[1] After her mother signed her up for piano lessons at age four, she studied classical music till she graduated from high school, after which she attended the Oberlin College Conservatory.
[1] When she had finished her first year, she moved to New York City, and studied with late jazz musician Sanford Gold, at age eighteen.
[1] Sussman's friend, award-winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman, got her in touch with Bette Midler later that same year.
In television, she performed on the soundtrack for the song "Christmastime for the Jews" in the 2005 Jack Black/Neil Young episode of Saturday Night Live.
In her spare time, she studies with jazz musician Garry Dial, and plays with the R&B band, the Bev Leslies.