 In February 1990 she moved to New York and supported herself as a school teacher and book seller during the day, and singing at night.After five years she traveled to Europe and from 1993 to 1994 Cook served as a guest vocal and ensemble instructor at the Jazzschule in Basel, Switzerland, and Jazz and Rock Schule in Freiburg, Germany.She returned to New York two years later and her work included singing with Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra and George Gee's Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra.