In 1969, she began her studies with Dr. Frederick Westphal as a music major on clarinet at CSU Sacramento, graduating in 1973 on the Dean's Honor List with a BA in Music. She stayed to attain her Standard Life Elementary Classroom Teaching Credential and a Standard Life Secondary Teaching Credential, specializing in music. In 1974, she was hired by the San Juan School District to teach instrumental band, and continued to do so at Mary A. Deterding Elementary School in Carmichael until she retired June of 2007.

In 1992 she qualified as a Nationally Registered Music Educator, a Music Educators National Conference (MENC) Certificate, and in 1994, was chosen to conduct the 169- piece Elementary MENC Capitol Section Honor Band. From 1995 to 2001 she served on the Board, was a substitute player in the clarinet section, and was Personnel/Business Manager for Sacramento's now retired 38-piece professional wind and percussion ensemble--The California Wind Orchestra. This wind orchestra recorded a CD, in which she played, and is still distributed by Summit Records. She also performed in the World Premiere of the "Oh! Mr. Sousa" show at the Napa Valley Opera House in Napa, CA November 6, 2005 and still plays occasionally on tour.

Through her efforts and administrative support at Mary A. Deterding Elementary School, she had the only elementary band program in the San Juan School District where recorder was taught to all 4th graders, and band was taught as standard curriculum for all 5th and 6th graders during the regular school day. She is still an active clarinetist, currently performing with the Sacramento Symphonic Winds.

In 1997 she became the San Juan District Coordinator of Elementary Bands working with a staff of between 15 and 20 teachers. In 1998 her book on how to start an elementary band program was published through MENC. She has since had two articles published in the national Teacher Magazine through MENC. In 2000 was presented the Film and Arts BRAVO Award, the Outstanding Contributions Award by the San Juan District, and the Excellence in Music Education Award by CMEA Capitol Section. Her latest project was to write a book entitled: Clarinets: How to Play Into the Upper-Register just published (2003) by XanEdu Publications, A Division of ProQuest information and Learning now on sale at: http://www.xanedu.com/copley/lehr_ehrke.shtml or by calling: 800-218-5971.

She is still playing clarinet actively.