Mary earned her B.A. degree in Music Performance from Lawrence University and her M.A. degree in Music Performance from DePaul University. While there she performed with the Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra, DePaul Symphony Orchestra, and the DePaul Trumpet Ensemble. She also participated in the Aspen Music Festival 2004 season. Mary has studied trumpet from Ed Carroll, Bob Levy, John Hagstrom, and John Lindenau. She has performed with various local orchestras in Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as the Chicago Brass Band, and the Chicago Brass Band Players. When not performing, Mary works in sales and customer service for Dansr, the United States importer of Vandoren products and North American importer of Denis Wick products.