PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2023

Maggie Sloter stayed in Peoria, forging her own path as a performer and educator. She worked as the grants and fundraising coordinator at Corn Stock Theater for two and a half years. She’s since moved on to direct the choir and bell choir at Salem Lutheran Church, to teach voice and brass lessons through Kidder Music, and to serve as an independent contractor to the Madison Theater Preservation Association. “It’s so funny to me that when Maggie and I were little, we felt so different,” said Dana. “And now we do different versions of the same thing.” How did Molly Sloter’s career influence her daughters? “I feel like growing up in rehearsal environments and getting to know lots of different people, the biggest take away is that everybody has something to offer. We all have different skills. We all have a different value. I know that being open, honest, and effectively communicating about my feelings and my experiences helps other people.

And I learned that from you,” Maggie tells her mom. “From people who would go to your office at Bradley freaking out, asking ‘who’s a grownup who’s not going to shut me down?’” Like any mother, Molly worries about her children and their futures. Still, she sees them growing on their re spective paths and knows everything will work out. “I would be concerned no matter what their degrees are in because the world is such a crazy place. I know that they’re doing good work,” said Molly. “I used to tell them that your only obligation is to use your God-given talents to make the world a better place. And they absolutely are doing that.”

Today, Dana Sloter is an adjunct faculty member at Drake University in Des Moines and teaches music lessons at nearby Simpson College. She also plays for churches and community theater. Maggie Sloter with her mom, Molly Sloter. Dana Sloter is pictured

Laurie Pillman is an author and freelance writer/editor, based in Peoria

Providing fresh, local, naturally grown produce & seasonal plants for our community!

EP!C Harvest is an exclusive grower for Midwest Food Bank, providing guajillo peppers that help create ethnically & culturally appropriate meals for those in need across the globe.

Scan to purchase a CSA subscription or seasonal flowers.

50 MAY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE