Originally from Michigan, Mary Jeanne van Appledorn is Professor of Music at Texas Tech University. She was educated at the Eastman School of Music where she received a B.M. in piano, a M.M. in music theory, and a Ph.D in 1956. She gave her New York debut as a pianist at Weill Recital hall, and Carnegie Hall. Her compositions have been perfomed throughout the United States and in Russia and Japan. The New York City Ballet choreographed her music, Set of Seven, for the company's fortieth anniversary.
Mary Jeanne has contributed significantly to her field through commissioned works for Hood College, Lubbock Independent School District, Texas Federation of Music Clubs, Women Band Directors National Association, National Intercollegiate Bands, American Guild of Carillonneurs, Music Teachers National Association, Crystal Cathedral, North Dakota State University, Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority, and the Women's Philharmonic of San Francisco. She has received 23 AWSCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Standard Awards and is listed in the prestigious New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.