Mary Jane Porter began her studies on violin at age 11. She won her first solo contest at age 14, performing the D major Concerto by W.A. Mozart with the Saginaw Symphony Orchestra in Michigan. She received her Bachelor's Degree with honors from the University of Michigan School of Music where she studied with Angel Reyes. She was Co-Concertmaster of the Lisbon Radio Orchestra, and in the 1st violin section of the Opera Orchestra of Lisbon. After returning to the U.S.A., she completed her Master's Degree in Violin Performance with honors from State University of New York at Stonybrook with Isidore Cohen and Sidney Harth. She moved to Chicago and began her freelancing career performing in many professional orchestras including co-concert master of the Northwest Indiana Symphony. She has appeared twice as a soloist with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. Mary Jane has played live broadcasts on WFMT, and was one of Chicago's Very Own (WGN Channel 9) representing the Chicago School of Violin Making as their music director. She has also studied with Alan Bodman, Ruggerio Ricci, and Elaine Skorodin. She has worked through many artistic agencies including the Franz Benteler Royal Strings, and Carl Linden and Artists, Inc.