Our Brass Studio

Ethan Machamer is a versatile music educator and performer from the South Suburbs, with over a decade of experience in piano and trombone. He regularly performs throughout Central Illinois and the Chicagoland area. Ethan is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Illinois State University, with a dual emphasis in piano and trombone. His studies span a broad range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and contemporary music. 

At Illinois State, Ethan is an active performer with top ensembles such as the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble 1, and Jazz Combo. Outside of university, he is a dedicated music teacher, working at HipCat Music School and assists in music instruction for local schools in the Bloomington-Normal area. His passion for both performance and education shapes his dynamic approach to music.

Charlie Machamer is a piano and trumpet player from Frankfort, IL. 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! 

Alicia Cruz attended Illinois State University as a Music Education major. She played French horn with the Illinois State Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Orchestra, Marching Band, Horn Choir, and Winter Pep Band. Alicia is a former member of the band service sorority, Tau Beta Sigma-Zeta Alpha, and served as the Vice President of Membership as well as Secretary. In addition to teaching French horn at Hip Cat Music School, Alicia also enjoys her work as a barista at Starbucks. She welcomes students of all ages and abilities and looks forward to guiding them on their musical journey.