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, Downers Grove, Minooka, Morris, Joliet, and Lockport area to children from Elementary through High School as Piano Accompanist, General Music Teacher, Choral, Band, Jazz Band, Swing Choir, Marching Band, Madrigal, and Vocal Jazz Director.
During the past 16+ years of teaching, Kimberly has enjoyed several opportunities in her various positions. Below are a few highlights that have shaped her as a music educator:
* 2003-2010 Joliet Junior College, Joliet: Collaborative Artist for Chamber Choir, Chorale, voice and instrument lessons, recitals, juries, musical pit instrumentalist, and music tutor - Adjunct Faculty (2009-2010)
* 2006-2010 Elmhurst University, Elmhurst: Collaborative Artist for Choir, Women's Choir, voice lessons, recitals, juries, musicals, and Light Opera Workshops - Adjunct Faculty (2009-2010)
* 2010-2011 Joliet Central High School, Joliet: Assistant HS Choir Director and Collaborative Artist
* 2011-2013 Shabbona Middle School, Morris: 6-8th Grade Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Choir, Swing Choir Director
* 2013-2015 Fairmont School, Lockport: K5-8th Grade General Music Teacher
- Designed and implemented the General Music curriculum, integrating ukulele, recorder, guitar, and beginning band instruments
* 2015-2019 Monroe Middle School, Wheaton: 6-8th Grade Choir Director and General Music Teacher
- Designed and implemented the General Music curriculum, integrating guitar
- Designed and implemented a special needs music class called Music Exploration, with a focus on peer interaction and expression through music, movement, singing, classroom instruments, and beginning guitar
- Musically directed and accompanied Once Upon a Mattress (2011) and The Music Man (2013)
- Awarded the 2018 Distinguished Educator Award, as well as received three Eagle Honor Awards, all chosen by students
* 2022-2025 Marquette Manor Baptist Academy, Downers Grove: HS Choir, JH Choir, Elementary Choir Director, K3-6th Grade General Music Teacher, JH Handbells Director, and Music Coordinator
* 2024-2025 Minooka High School, Minooka: HS Junior Varsity Madrigal, Vocal Jazz Transit Director, and Musical Orchestra Pit Director for Beauty and the Beast (2024) and Anastasia (2025)
* 2024-2025 Minooka Junior High School, Minooka: JH Choir Director
​ 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 has composed several pieces of original music! Kimberly and Marvin have most recently published their first children's book, Adventures with Danny & Aubrey: All in a Day's Work, as they felt inspired to share their simple joy of raising children and setting a good routine for the day, all while having alot of fun! At the end of summer 2025, they will welcome their third little one and Kimberly will continue to keep busy as a homemaker, author, composer, arranger, and clinician. We can't wait to see what God does in this next exciting chapter of life!
Kimberly is an active member of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and ILMEA (Illinois Music Education Association), while continuing to perform, direct, accompany, compose, arrange, clinic 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. In the summer of 2024, Kimberly was awarded the prestigious honor of being chosen for the Marquis Who's Who among American Educators and is featured in their 2025 edition.
