She conducts the Nyack College Chorale and Chamber Singers, and teaches courses in conducting, rehearsal methods, music history, and sight singing and ear training. Prior to her tenure at Nyack College, Professor Swanson held appointments as Assistant Director of Choirs at The University of Chicago, Assistant Professor at Ithaca College School of Music (Ithaca, NY), and served as the conductor of choral ensembles at North Park University, Northwestern University, and Roosevelt University (Chicago Center of Performing Arts) in Chicago, IL. As a mezzo-soprano, Professor Swanson has performed professionally as a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Grant Park Chorus. More recently she has been a member of the Oratorio Society of New York and the Parish Choir at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City.