Gilford Moore - Guitar & Ukulele
Owner & Founder of Hip Cat Music School
Gilford Moore is a Illinois native and has lived in Bloomington/Normal since 1973. He and his wife Daniella currently reside in Bloomington along with their 9 cats. Gilford began playing guitar when he was in 5th grade and has never stopped. One of the reasons he founded Hip Cat Music School is because of personally experiencing the value of private, one-on-one music lessons. Until he was out of high school he was self taught. He was amazed by how much more quickly he progressed with a competent teacher. Gilford provides lessons that are both fun and educational while always striving to make a personal connection with his students. He believes that music is truly a universal and transformative language that can be experienced by people of all ages and abilities.
Olivia Wexler - Guitar & Ukulele
Olivia Wexler recently earned a Bachelors in Music with a dual degree in Vocal Performance and New Media Composition from Illinois State University. She has been inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, an international honors society for music, and received the Hope and Mary Jo Brown Scholarship for her musical talent, academics, and her outstanding service to the music department.
Her passion for guitar started at an early age with several years of private lessons, and she currently takes online courses to continuously improve her skills. She started teaching guitar at Hip Cat Music School in 2022. She has an in-depth knowledge of music theory and led a college level Theory II course at ISU, created several music compositions with various instruments for ISU’s Music Factory concerts, and served as president of ISU’s Music Business Organization for two years bringing opportunities for local music talent to the area. She performed as a guitar soloist with NCHS’s Jazz Ensemble, accompanied ISU’s Belle Voix and Concert Choir performances, played guitar in the ISU Orchestra Pit for Bonnie & Clyde and The Addams Family theatre performances.
Olivia has performed with her band as the lead singer and guitarist both locally and in the Chicago area. Most notably, she performed at the Castle Theatre, Front Street Music Festival, Make Music Normal, Jazz Upfront, and Concerts on the Quad at ISU in Bloomington/Normal. Her Chicago performance experience includes Schubas Tavern, Uncommon Ground, Cobra Lounge, and participated in the 26th Jeff Buckley Annual Tribute Concert. She also recently performed at SloughFest from Augustana College.
Ben Sievert - Guitar
Ben Sievert has been playing the guitar since the age of 12, honing his skills through years of study with private instructors and performing in multiple bands. With a deep understanding of music theory, music history, and the intricacies of both acoustic and electric guitars, Ben brings extensive knowledge of music equipment and maintenance to his teaching.
His passion for guitar-based genres spans rock, blues, jazz, and classical, enabling him to teach a wide variety of styles and techniques. Ben is dedicated to customizing lessons to meet each student's individual goals and needs, while maintaining a structured approach to ensure that fundamental musical concepts are mastered. He welcomes students of all experience levels and musical interests.
Daniel Boy - Bass Guitar
Daniel Boy is currently pursuing a degree in music education, with a minor in jazz studies, at Illinois Wesleyan University. In addition to teaching double bass and bass guitar at Hip Cat Music School, Danny is involved with numerous organizations at IWU. He performs with the IWU Symphony Orchestra and IWU Jazz Combo. Danny is also the Titan Band Conductor, Stage Crew Manager for Presser Hall as well as the String Intern for the Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony. Danny is an enthusiastic educator who loves music of all genres, especially jazz. He enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities to help them achieve their musical goals.
Jackson Miller - Guitar & Ukulele
Jackson Miller has a degree in classical guitar performance from Illinois State University. While at ISU he was a teaching assistant, taught community guitar lessons at Heartland Community College, and performed in a variety of solo and chamber music settings. With a percussion background, Jackson has also taught high school drumline. Jackson is a busy gigging guitarist, playing weddings, cabarets, the occasional jazz night and is heavily involved with musical theater having played guitar (and occasionally percussion) in over forty productions. With a diverse musical background, Jackson can teach a variety of approaches to the guitar and makes sure his lessons are tailored to each student.
Bella Mitcheff - Guitar & Ukulele
Bella Mitcheff is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Illinois State University. She has over a decade of experience as a vocalist and flutist and has played guitar and ukulele for many years. Bella has been singing as a soprano since she was a young girl. She has been a part of many ensembles over her musical career. She was involved in the Young Naperville Singers at age 12 and continued with concert choir, madrigals and vocal Jazz in high school. Bella also participated in many musical productions including Legally Blonde, Newsies, and Mama Mia. At ISU she has continued to pursue her musical passions both inside and outside of school. She has been a part of Belle Voix, an all-treble chorus and Concert Choir, a mixed chorus at Illinois State University. She challenges herself to explore the nuances of singing in a non-classical setting with the group On the Brink of Normal, a mixed acapella group. Bella has been a major part of this organization for 3 years and was the president of this organization for 2. She enjoys connecting her passion for singing to all different musical genres in a healthy and beneficial way.
Christopher Wiman - Guitar & Ukulele