Mary Jo Neher, was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Mary Jo received a BM Cum Laude from Boston University, a MM from Northwestern University, and a Certificate of Performance from DePaul University. Through her academic endeavors she has studied under the guidance of Seth Orgel, Rick Menaul, Eric Ruske, Bill Barnewitz, Gail Williams, Oto Carrillo and Jon Boen. Mary Jo has had many performance opportunities over the years including the following organizations in the Boston area, the Boston Philharmonic, Masterworks Chorale, and the New Bedford Symphony, and in the Chicago land area, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Concertante di Chicago, The Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic (Forte Wayne, IN). Mary Jo is a regular member of the Millar Brass Ensemble and is a substitute with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Mary Jo has performed in Miami, Florida with the New World Symphony Orchestra and has performed across Japan with the Pacific Music Festival where she worked with Academy Award winning composer, Tan Dun.