Ann was born in Park Ridge, Illinois. She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in modern dance from the University of Utah in 1976. In 1983 she became one of the first students of the University of Arizona to earn a graduate degree in dance. Ann's work often challenges stereotypes and assumptions held in modern-day America. Most notably, Ann tackles gender role issues through different costuming and speech.

Ann spent the late 1970's to the early '90s of her dance career performing. She performed her first solo concert in 1986 and performed to music composed by Stewart Wallace and Phillip Glass. As a choreographer Ann's work has been performed throughout the United States. Internationally her work has been performed in West Germany, Prague and Mexico City. Carlson's choreography has earned her a New York Dance and Performance Award in 1988, American Dance Festival Award in 1988, and the CalArts Alpert Award in Dance in 1995 . These awards are just a portion of the many recognitions Carlson has received.

Her life partner is Mary Ellen Strom, a professor at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.