Kimberly Joy Minarich
About Kimberly
Kimberly has performed throughout the United Sates and Europe as a pianist, flutist, vocalist, teacher, and musical director. Kimberly has directed and accompanied several ensembles in the Chicago area, along with teaching piano to over fifty students for over ten years. After touring the country with several music and drama teams throughout college, and enjoying an incredible childhood that was enriched by a family music ministry to nursing homes, churches, prison and homeless ministries, Kimberly was chosen one out of four pianists in the world to travel to Salzburg, Austria to perform, accompany, and study piano on a scholarship from University of Miami Frost School of Music. Over the last several years she has taken on the role of music teacher, musical director and pianist for several shows and programs. Some credits include: The Sound of Music, Children of Eden, Honk, Jr., Seussical the Musical, The Music Man, Ragtime, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, an original musical, Far From Freud, as well as the Rialto Children's Choir, Showchoir Camps of America, the Chicago Children's Choir, "Flight", the Show Choir from Wheaton North High School, and performed with ensembles/soloists from Joliet Junior College, Elmhurst University, Vandercook College, and many others. For the past several years, Kimberly has enjoyed teaching music in the Wheaton, Morris, Joliet, and Lockport area to children from Elementary through High School as Piano Accompanist, General Music Teacher, Choral, Band, Jazz Band, Swing Choir and Marching Band Director.
In her last position, Kimberly served as the Choir Director and Music Teacher at Monroe Middle School, directing the 6th-8th grade choirs, teaching 6th grade General Music Classes, and creating a class and curriculum for special needs music. During her time in Wheaton, she was awarded the 2018 Distinguished Educator Award, as well as received three Eagle Honor Awards, all chosen by students, for her work in Wheaton, District 200.
Kimberly's favorite duet partner in music and life is her husband, Marvin. They met in choir at Joliet Junior College in 2003! Marvin owns his own business, Marvin's Motor City, where he restores classic muscle cars with a fantastic crew of professionals in automotive restoration. They live on three beautiful acres in Morris with their two shelties, TeddyBear and Shelton, and enjoy cruising in their collection of classic cars, listening to music in their free time. Kimberly has enjoyed being home full-time with their children, Daniel and Aubrey, who were born in 2018 and 2021. While enjoying this time with her family, she has published her first three books, published and transcribed an original piano solo written by her dad, Tim Widmer, published and arranged several piano solos, and began composing original music!
God has orchestrated quite an amazing chapter for the future! Kimberly has been called to her cherished alma mater, Marquette Manor Baptist Academy, where she has been thrilled to enjoy the role of Choir Director for the high school, junior high, and elementary, as well as junior high Handbell Director and Music Coordinator for the past two years. Danny has joined his mom to Marquette just two mornings a week, for him to attend preschool, and for her to assume this wonderful position! Aubrey has enjoyed those two mornings with her daddy, as they enjoyed precious one-on-one time together. Now, as Aubrey enters preschool next school year, Kimberly will also serve as the General Music teacher for preschool through 4th grade at MMBA, enabling Kimberly, Danny, and Aubrey to attend MMBA four mornings per week, with Danny beginning 5-day Kindergarten in the Fall. We couldn't be more excited that Kimberly has gotten to continue being home through this important transition over these last few years, as their children begin their education journey and Kimberly jumps back in to bringing the joy of music as a teacher! Also starting in 2024, Kimberly has been called to Marvin's alma mater in directing the JV Madrigals/Vocal Jazz Transit Choirs and directing the Musical Orchestra Pit at Minooka Community High School, as well as starting a choir at Minooka Junior High School. What an honor to serve in these various positions and praise God for this incredible new chapter. We can't wait to see what He does!
Kimberly is an active clinician, author, and composer, as well as an active member of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and ILMEA (Illinois Music Education Association), while continuing to perform, direct, accompany, and speak professionally.
“I could never thank my husband and family enough for the constant encouragement and love they have given me, and for the music ministry we have enjoyed throughout my lifetime. But ultimately, I thank the Lord for all that He has done through me and for leading me according to His perfect will for my life. Music has been a passion, excitement, source of learning, refuge and joy in my life ever since I can remember. I became a music teacher in order to dedicate my life to teaching and sharing the joy of music to children of all ages. I want to pass on the passion and love that music has brought into my life. Music provides an outlet and ignition that will cultivate learning and joy in the minds of students, enabling them to reach unimaginable heights through teamwork, intensity and dedication!" - Kimberly Joy Minarich
Kimberly completed her Masters in Music Education through Kent State University in December 2015, after completing her Bachelors in Music Education through Elmhurst University in 2009, and her Associates in Arts through Joliet Junior College in 2006. Kimberly was awarded a Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction award in the spring of 2015 in honor of the work that she has performed as an educator.
