Before arriving at UVM, she taught at Skidmore College, George Washington University, and University of Maryland, College Park. She received the Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Maryland, College Park, conducting research on the early compositions of jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. Patricia has presented her continuing research at the national conference of the Society for Music Theory, at regional New York State and New England SMT meetings, and, by invitation, at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, and various U.S. universities. She has published articles and reviews in Theory and Practice, Annual Review of Jazz Studies, Jazz Education Journal, and Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy.