Beth Steele began her musical career playing the violin and piano and later switched to trumpet after hearing a Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performance of “Pictures at an Exhibition” with legendary principal trumpet Adolph “Bud” Herseth. Beth earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and a Master of Music in Conducting from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
After receiving her commission in 1988, Beth began a stellar conducting career in the US Army. From the White House to Carnegie Hall, Moscow’s Red Square, London’s Horse Guards Parade Ground, Arlington National Cemetery, New York City’s “Ground Zero” and everything in between, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Beth Steele was honored to lead professional Army musicians in performances and witness first-hand, the tremendous power of music to inspire, reassure, exhilarate, influence and unite people. During her last assignment in Europe, Beth developed enduring partnerships with European musicians and was awarded the German government’s highest peacetime award of the “Silver Cross of Honor.”
Beth recently retired from the Army and she and her husband, Mike, also a retired military musician, live in Breckenridge where she is an active performer and an advocate for community music. Beth currently conducts the Alpine Orchestra, the Summit Concert Band, the Summit Community Orchestra, teaches trumpet, is a part-time ski instructor and enjoys biking and hiking with their dog, Mocha.