Beth McDonald is a classically trained tuba player gone awry. As an improviser, she combines the tuba’s acoustic voice with electronic effects pedals, creating music that spans subterranean drones, intricate textures, and unexpected electronic sounds.

Based in Chicago, Beth performs regularly with bands including Ken Vandermark’s Edition Redux, Three Grebes, and Where Were We. She also collaborates with weaver Katie Vota on Weaving Chicago's Waterways, a multidisciplinary project that combines field recordings from the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with tapestry weaving, sound installation, and live performance.

In addition to these ongoing collaborations, Beth regularly performs in an ever-shifting array of improvised duos, trios, and ad hoc groups. An active participant in Chicago's creative music community, she collaborates with musicians including Erez Dessel, Dave Rempis, Lia Kohl, Tim Daisy, Caroline Jesalva, Nick Macri, Mabel Kwan, Robbie Lynn Hunsinger, Zander Raymond, Macie Stewart, and many others.