Beth Ylvisaker was born and raised in the US but has lived nearly half of her life in Australia.

Beth received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and French from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, renowned for its especially rich choral tradition.  Beth also holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  

Beth is equally passionate about teaching, performing and advocating for the power of live music-making.  She especially enjoys being a catalyst at the intersection of music education and performance.  Her wide-ranging experience working with musicians of all ages, from beginners to professionals, includes directing a children’s music school, accompanying a Gilbert and Sullivan troupe, being music director for community theatre, conducting church choirs, conducting community choirs, adjudicating at eisteddfods and singing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

In addition to conducting Melbourne’s Louella choir Beth works as both conductor and accompanist for several training choirs of the Australian Children’s Choir.  During school hours Beth is a piano tutor and accompanist at Ivanhoe Grammar School where she also spent five years conducting choirs.