Patty Pelfrey studied piano as a child in Japan. She served as church organist during those same years, and recorded hymn arrangements on the vibraharp for radio broadcasts. She graduated from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary with a degree in Sacred Music, concentrating on piano and organ performance. Since graduation, she has maintained a private piano studio and has been active in church music. She started a private piano program at East Knox Elementary school (Howard, Ohio) in 1982, She has taught piano and accompanied at Kenyon since 1984, and at Mount Vernon Nazarene University since 1987.