Beth Gilford studied recorder at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland with Hans-Martin Linde. After two years at the Schola, she returned to the United States, where she earned a B. F. A. in recorder from the Oberlin College Conservatory.
Over the span of her career, she has performed with a variety of orchestras and ensembles. She also taught recorder and early music performance practice at the University of Michigan, Oberlin College, and Albion College.