As a performer, she is at home in a variety of musical settings including swinging quintets, modern jazz orchestras, and chamber ensembles. In addition to performing with her quintet, Spear regularly performs with the Imagine Orchestra directed by Bill Banfield, the Michelle Tucker Quintet, the Mad Monkfish Orchestra directed by Peter Kenagy, and the New England Jazz Collaborative, among others.

Spear also leads an active life as a composer and arranger. She is the 2025 recipient of the McBride ’59 Jazz Commission and premiered her new work “Wonders” with the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble. Other commissions and premieres include Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, the Imagine Orchestra, the New England Jazz Collaborative, and saxophonist Dr. Kristen Zelenak.

Her 2024 album release First Pitch showcases her abilities both as a saxophonist and writer. This project is a mosaic of works from Spear’s formative years emerging in Boston’s music scene. Joining Spear on this album are former Berklee College of Music classmates Anastassiya Petrova on piano and Tyson Jackson on drums, former New England Conservatory classmate Ian Buss on tenor saxophone, and Berklee colleague Mark Poniatowski on bass.

Spear teaches private instruction and jazz ear training with NEC Prep, courses in arranging at Berklee College of Music, and private instruction at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has experience teaching students from elementary through undergraduate levels in topics including music theory, ear training, improvisation, and arranging, as well as private instruction and ensemble coaching.