She is currently a member of several bonsai and suiseki clubs such as California Bonsai Society, Nampu Kai, Descanso Bonsai Society, Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai, Aiseki Kai, Kofu Bonsai Kai, and Santa Anita Bonsai Society. She is also 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 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 demonstrations, workshops, and slide presentations to bonsai clubs in California, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Canada, and Australia. Her photographs and articles about bonsai-related topics have appeared in Bonsai Today, the California Bonsai Society's Bonsai in California, Bonsai Clubs International's Bonsai Magazine, the Golden State Bonsai Federation's journal Golden Statements, the National Bonsai Foundation's NBF Bulletin, and Bonsai: Journal of the American Bonsai Society.

Cheryl has also edited John Naka's Sketchbook (National Bonsai Foundation, 2005), a compilation of John's bonsai sketches from around the world. All profits from its sale go to the John Naka Endowment Fund.