Mary Gerard is celebrated for her success as a teacher of violin and viola. Throughout her career she has produced string students who now occupy principal positions in noted professional orchestras throughout the nation.

Mary held first violin and viola positions with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, the San Diego Opera Orchestra and Starlight Opera. Her career has included a professorship in the music department of SDSU, teaching violin, viola, symphonic literature, chamber music literature, and coaching chamber music classes.