Our Brass Studio

Ethan Machamer is a dedicated music educator and performer from the South Suburbs, with over a decade of experience in piano and trombone. He holds a degree in Music Education from Illinois State University, where he studied a range of styles including classical, jazz, and contemporary music.

Ethan performs regularly across Central Illinois and the Chicagoland area. He currently teaches at Hip Cat Music School and serves as the Band and Music Teacher at Oak Grove School in Bartonville, IL.

He looks forward to sharing his passion for music and helping students grow in their musical journey.

Charlie Machamer is a piano and trumpet player from Frankfort, Illinois. He is currently an undergraduate student at Illinois State University triple-majoring in Music Education, Trumpet Performance, and Jazz Studies. In his time at ISU, Charlie has performed in ensembles such as Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Combo I, and the Big Red Marching Machine. Charlie regularly gigs throughout the Bloomington-Normal and Chicagoland area.

On the piano, Charlie has been classically trained from the age of 6. He is fluent in all piano genres/eras from baroque to jazz to contemporary. Charlie specializes in jazz and 20th-century American music on the keyboard. At Illinois State, Charlie was awarded the Robert Fred Kern Music Scholarship which is awarded to a music education student who’s primary instrument is piano. His piano teachers have included Evan Rea, Dr. Tuyen Tonnu, Dr. Daniel Baer, and Kevin Hart.

Charlie has also been studying trumpet since the age of 9 years old. He has played in all type of classical ensembles ranging from chamber, orchestra, and wind ensemble; however, Charlie’s specialty on the trumpet is jazz. He has been regularly gigging since the age of 17 years old. Charlie has performed as a soloist in every major ensemble at Illinois State and frequently performs as a featured flugelhorn soloist for Jazz Ensemble I. He is a recipient of the James Major and Amy Gilreath Music Scholarship which is awarded to an outstanding member of the trumpet studio at ISU. His trumpet teachers have included Ben Clark, Chuck Parrish, and Dr. Anne McNamara. As a teacher, Charlie emphasizes consistency and efficiency along with developing a foundation for a lifetime of musical enjoyment (aka having fun!) Outside of music, Charlie’s hobbies include weightlifting, traveling/hiking, and playing video games! 

Andrew Lin is a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a degree in music education with an emphasis in wind ensemble and choral studies. This semester he is student teaching at Ridgeview High School.

An active member of IWU’s music community, Lin is primarily a horn player, performing with the IWU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. He also sings with the Collegiate Choir, plays trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, and performs mellophone with the Titan Band. Additionally, he is an active member of the university’s chapters of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing (SNATS). He also collaborates annually with the Music Theatre Society (MTS). Lin currently studies horn with Professor Lea Humphreys and voice with Dr. Cody Parrott, and he has previously studied under Dr. J. Scott Ferguson.

Graham Miller is a trombonist and pianist from Plainfield, Illinois. He is currently studying music education at Illinois State University with their Presidential Scholarship and has held leadership roles playing trombone in ensembles including the ISU Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble I, and Big Red Marching Machine. He is also a piano accompanist and performs frequently in the Bloomington-Normal area at church services, vocal recitals, and concerts with the Hip Cat Children’s Choir.

Graham’s passion for music education doesn’t just stem from his love of musical expression; it’s a deeply rooted desire to instill that love in others. Music is a beautiful tool for immense personal development, and Graham’s philosophy is built on that fact. As a middle school band camp counselor, high school marching band tech, and private lesson teacher for several years, he has emphasized the development of his students’ creative thinking, problem solving, self-esteem, social skills, teamwork and work ethic through effective musical pedagogy. His students aren’t just better musicians at the end of the day, but better people. 

Outside of his life as a player and teacher, Graham sings in the University Glee choir at ISU, and he’s a member of the music education club. He also has experience as a composer and freelance arranger.