Cheryl's love of bonsai began in 1981 with her first basic skills course from Murata Bonsai Nursery in Orange County. Since then, she has studied with bonsai masters such as John Naka, Ben Oki, Harry Hirao and Jim Barrett.

She is currently a member of several bonsai and suiseki (viewing stones) clubs such as the California Bonsai Society, Nampu Kai, Descanso Bonsai Society, Aiseki Kai, Kofu Bonsai Kai, and Santa Anita Bonsai Society. She is also a member of the Japanese Nippon Bonsai Association and a board member of the National Bonsai Foundation.

In 1994, Cheryl completed a one-year live-in apprenticeship with bonsai master Yasuo Mitsuya in Toyohashi, Japan. Her trip was sponsored by the Golden State Bonsai Federation as part of its Japan Internship Training Program.

According to Cheryl: "It was a fabulous experience with an incredible amount of information presented during the course of 50-hour work weeks. Mitsuyasan not only taught me about the styling and maintenance of trees, but also shared his knowledge on the special techniques, wiring, display and accents, as well as the politics of bonsai. Mitsuyasan was generous enough to allow me to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience in over 4300 slides-which I enjoy sharing with all who are interested."

Cheryl has given numerous workshops and slide presentations to bonsai clubs in California, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Australia. Her photographs and articles about bonsai-related topics have appeared in Bonsai Today, Bonsai Clubs International Bonsai Magazine, the Golden State Bonsai Federation's bimonthly journal Golden Statements, and the National Foundation's NBF Bulletin.