Beth Slimko holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with dual concentrations in vocal and instrumental pedagogy from Butler University, which included an intense study at the Zoltan Kodaly Pedagogical Institute in Hungary, where she received Outstanding Honors in both methodology and piano. She also holds a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University, her thesis entitled “Reading Between the Lines: Incorporating Music Education into an Elementary Language Arts Curriculum.” Mrs. Slimko completed an internship with the internationally known Indianapolis Children’s Choir where she worked with Henry Leck, esteemed vocal music arranger and founder/director of the organization. While with that choir, she also served as a Kindermusik instructor. Mrs. Slimko also has more than fifteen years of Education Through Music study through the Richards Institute.
Mrs. Slimko was a vocal music specialist for Muskegon Public Schools, where she taught choir at both elementary and middle school levels as well as music education for middle school students with special needs; Timberland Charter Academy, where she taught elementary music and founded a middle school choir; and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where she taught vocal technique and sectionals and conducted the Blue Lake Elective Choir. In 2015, Mrs. Slimko was the lead clinician for the Michigan Music Education Association Elementary Choral Festival. In 2017, Mrs. Slimko presented a the MSVMA Summer Conference and was on the leadership and teaching team for Education Through Music Summer Colloquium. Mrs. Slimko is currently the director of the North Muskegon Public School choir program and is a vocal music specialist for elementary music. Under her direction the choir program has grown from one choir with six female members in 2004 to five choirs and more than 230 dedicated members. North Muskegon choirs have recently rejoined Michigan State Vocal Music Association events after several years of non-participation. All choirs consistently receive Superior and Excellent ratings in performance and sight-reading. Her choirs have performed at such venues as the Frauenthal Center with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, Downtown Disney at Disney World, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lumberjack Hockey games, and many local and regional events. North Muskegon Choirs pride themselves not just on high artistic performance, but the ideal of being an organization that promotes exceptional standards of citizenship and community.
In 2013, Mrs. Slimko helped found the West Michigan Symphony Children's Choir which she currently directs. The West Michigan Symphony Children's Choir cultivates and encourages student achievement through quality music education and the pursuit of artistic excellence in choral music. Through a partnership with the West Michigan Symphony, WMSCC is a catalyst for the arts in West Michigan by making a difference in the musical lives of children and their families. Under the direction of skilled teachers/conductors whose love of teaching children is at the forefront of quality music education, WMSCC seeks to bridge cultures, ethnicities and economic backgrounds in a supportive, safe and encouraging environment.
Mrs. Slimko is also an accomplished oboist, pianist, and vocalist, continuing to perform in these areas as well as maintaining a full private lesson studio. Several of her students have received Excellent and Superior ratings at the Michigan State Vocal Music Association District Solo and Ensemble and Musical Theater Festival and have gone on to perform at State Solo and Ensemble events. She resides in North Muskegon with her husband and two sons.