During the 1970s her influences were The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the Allman Brothers.
In 1980, she moved to Washington DC and performed in local clubs including Blues Alley and Charlie's Georgetown.
In 1985, she moved to New York City, where she studied voice, guitar, and piano with Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, Connie Crothers, Harold Danko, Barry Harris, and Sheila Jordan.
[3] You Inspire Me (VSOJAZ, 2001) was recorded with seven guitarists: Gene Bertoncini, Paul Bollenback, John Hart, Romero Lubambo, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, and Jack Wilkins.
[4][5] On her album West Coast Strings, she was supported by another group of established guitarists: David Eastlee, Ron Escheté, Mimi Fox, Larry Koonse, John Pisano, Peter Sprague, Anthony Wilson, and Barry Zweig.