Susan began studying violin at a young age with her father, George Hardie, music teacher and symphony member in Portland, Oregon. Sue was a member of the Portland Junior Symphony, a member of the University of Portland Orchestra, the Oregon String Sinfonietta and Portland Chamber Orchestra. Susan and her sister Sally, also a violinist in PCSO were members of the Palatine Hill Orchestra (now Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra) at its inaugural concert. Susan has been a member of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra for the past 35 years.

Sue worked in the financial field with McMorgan and Company Investment Management for 14 years and an additional six years with a local Third Party Administration company. She is now officially retired!

Having raised four children, including a set of triplets, then sending them off to college to find lives of their own, Sue needed more to do. So, with a passion for this orchestra she has served on the Board of Directors for Portland Columbia Symphony since 1997.