Mary Lynn Patterson graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Dance Department with a bachelor of fine arts degree before going on to earn a master of fine arts degrees in dance/movement therapy and counseling from Drexel University. She is a practicing dance/movement therapist, educator, and artist. A former company member of Philadanco, Patterson performed works by Rennie Harris, George Faison, and Talley Beatty. As a dance artist, she has performed across the country and internationally on concert and pop music stages from the Kennedy Center to Madison Square Garden. Mary is in her third year of programming as a dance/movement therapist and outreach specialist for Performing Ourselves.