Mrs. Hruby received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1987 from Northwestern University where she studied clarinet with Robert Marcellus and conducting with John P. Paynter. She received her Master's Degree in Education from United States International University in 1995. She began her teaching career in 1987 in Illinois. She taught music at the International School in Stuttgart, Germany and at the high school level in Seaside, California for 18 years. She is the recipient of numerous awards to include the CMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award, the Monterey Jazz Festival Outstanding Jazz Educator Award, the Monterey County Benefactor of the Arts Award, and the Allen Griffin Outstanding Educator Award. She has been recognized by the State of California Senate as an Outstanding Arts Educator. She is an active arts advocate in the Monterey area and the founder and team leader for the Music Arts Advocacy Partnership (MAAP) of Monterey. She currently serves on the executive board for the California Music Educator's Association.