Born in Los Angeles, California, Sloane developed an interest in conducting at age 16.

[1] He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in music.

Separately, he also took conducting lessons with Eugene Ormandy, Franco Ferrara and Gary Bertini.

[2] Simultaneously with his Bochum tenure, Sloane was Music Director of Opera North from 1999 to 2002, and was principal conductor of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2013.

In November 2000, Sloane was named music director of the American Composers Orchestra, effective with the 2002–2003 season.