Pilley was born in Memphis, Tennessee where her family has lived for 3 generations. Her father a preacher, her mother a nurse. She began playing piano at age 5. They later moved to South Carolina where she began winning piano competitions at age 12, (including the prestigious Mozart Competition) and had her debut with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as a solo artist at 16. She graduated with a degree in piano performance from The EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC, with studies in jazz composition. She also studied privately with Lee Luvisi at The Aspen Music Festival, and Ivan Davis for graduate studies at the University of Miami where she received a full scholarship plus stipend. Unsatisfied with classical music and wanting to perform and compose her own music, Pilley moved to New York and hung around the music building, scraping together work as a keyboardist with various unsigned artists and bands. She quickly gained recognition and appeared as a rock/pop keyboardist in video and television programs on MTV, BET, and PBS. Pilley was the featured keyboardist/talent for MTV's ace award winning show "TURN IT UP" and WWOR's Super Station program "SPOTLIGHT CAFE" with Denis Leary, for which she co-wrote both theme songs. She recently performed with Jo Dee Messina for the LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENt awards show on the LIFETIME NETWORK and also appeared on The SOPRANO’S. The debut CD of her band ILA'S DRESS, "ignorance and bad manners” was received with critical acclaim and has been featured on 2 compilation CD's for best-unsigned bands, while also charting on CMJ. It grabbed the attention of Music Industry Legend Allen Kovak who signed Pilley to his boutique label BEYOND (BMG) whose roster includes Blondie and Motley Crue. The band is currently being featured in several motion picture soundtracks internationally. Among them, View Askew Productions, (Kevin Smith of “Chasing Amy” and “Clerks”) new feature film “Big Helium Dog” and “The Rules (For Men)” directed & starred in by Robert Capelli, Jr. (Gramercy Films). Pilley was the co-host /founder of the popular singer/songwriter event sponsored by ASCAP, “The PANTY PARTY”. A monthly NYC event, the raucous spectacle sported a cult following of musicians, artists and downtown hipsters featuring NYC’s strongest unearthed musical talent. The Panty Party was featured on the cover of New York Magazine as one of NYC’s hottest Nighttime events. Pilley was ASCAP's recipient of the Abe Olman Songwriting Award from the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters' Hall of Fame (featured in several of their showcases) and was a featured performer in ASCAP’s showcase at the Sundance Film Festival to rave audiences, sharing the stage with India Arie and Jen Chapin. Pilley is head of A&R for the National Festival MAMAPALOOZA for which she is also a featured artist and also MamaPUBlooza, the new publishing division. She was Music Director for 7 years of the NYC hit show "Tony & Tina's Wedding."