She was born in San Diego, California, United States,[1] and played classical music as a child.
She studied at Juilliard School and was a student at Hunter College when she saw jazz pianist Bill Evans perform at a club in New York City.
She dropped out of Hunter and studied jazz piano with Sanford Gold, whom Evans recommended.
She sent some tapes of her work to William Ackerman of Windham Hill Records, and he signed her to the label.
Her hands were used in the film to simulate the piano playing by actress Madeline Stowe.