[2][3] She attended Phillips Exeter Academy ('88),[4] then studied visual arts at Harvard University,[1] where she met Thomas Lauderdale, a classically trained pianist.

After graduating in 1992, Forbes worked as an actress for several years, performing Off-Broadway in New York City.

[1] While living in Portland, Oregon, Lauderdale asked her to sing with Pink Martini, a band he had assembled to play at political fundraisers.

She is featured on Michael Feinstein's album The Sinatra Project, singing a duet of "How Long Will It Last?".

She is a cousin of former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and indie-rock musician Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear.