A California native, Mary Anne drew musical inspiration from nature and a mosaic of cultures. Her uncle Charley taught her to scat. She learned piano by ear, accompanying him on the trumpet and playing for elementary school events. Composer Suzanne Toolan introduced profound experience with classics from Bach to Britten during high school. Mary Anne conducted choirs, refining her ear for composition, preparing for musical study at College of San Mateo and San Francisco State. She also explored electronic music and began producing live recordings, tutored, assisting teachers and implementing her innovative approaches in music education for elementary school and college settings. By 1975 she was recording her work, writing and arranging for ensembles while performing and connecting at Keystone Korner with musicians who paved the way for her journey to the east.
