Ann Collins was a Western Illinois University professor emeritus. She served as a clinician at conventions and colleges throughout the country and as an instructor of jazz piano clinics and camps for piano teachers and students.

She has appeared at MENC and MTNA National Conventions, the National Group Piano Symposium, the National Piano Pedagogy Conference, as International Association of Jazz Educators Teacher-Training Institute faculty, as well as on numerous state convention programs and university seminars. Her diverse professional experience includes public school and independent studio piano teaching, university group piano and piano pedagogy teaching, and music administration.

Ann was a member of the MTNA/IAJE Alliance Committee charged with creating guidelines for teaching jazz in independent studios and served as a member of the IAJE Resource Team representing Studio Teachers.