Received PhD from USC in Communication/Drama in 1982 and did her dissertation on Chicano Theatre in Los Angeles 1979-1980. Was director of theatre at USC'S Idyllwild School of Music and Art for two summers and taught at Cal State Northridge and Cal State LA as well as in the Upward Bound Program and at USC while a graduate student. Songwriting credit for "Sampaguita" by Moacir Santos on Blue Note Records.