Beth MacLeod joined the Westwood Ensemble in 2022. Currently, Beth teaches viola and violin in her music studio. She started her studio in 2010, and enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities. Previously, she taught elementary and middle school strings in the Hickman Mills School District. Beth performs with a string ensemble, Crescendo Trio, with which she plays violin and transcribes music for weddings and corporate events. Prior to Crescendo Trio, Beth played viola in the Kansas City Civic Orchestra.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Beth began her string instrument studies on violin in the 4th grade, but eventually discovered her passion for viola, as a junior, when the high school string quartet needed a violist. During her senior year, Beth was selected as the principal violist for both the OAYO Youth Symphony and the Nebraska All-State Orchestra.
In 2006, Beth graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. At UNL, she studied viola with Clark Potter and Jonah Sirota, and violin with David Neely. She taught in the UNL String Project teaching private viola lessons and conducting beginning string ensembles throughout college. Beth also studied string instrument set up and repair, as a luthier apprentice, during high school and college with her mentor and teacher Glen Hadsell at Midwest Violins in Omaha.
Beth resides in Overland Park with her husband, Jason, and their four children, Derick, Alex, Anna, and Jack. In her free time, Beth enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, volunteering, and learning about local history. Beth is the handbell director at Bethany Lutheran Church in Overland Park. She serves on the Band of Angels Emerging Leaders Board as the instrument drive coordinator.