Our Woodwind Studio

Kiara Price is an enthusiastic educator who loves seeing her students succeed. She teaches bassoon, clarinet and recorder at Hip Cat Music School. Having obtained her degree in Music Education from Illinois State University, Kiara is now pursuing her master's degree at ISU. Kiara has performed in both the Wind Symphony and the Big Red Marching Machine. She enjoys the balance between fun and learning, in lessons with her students. She has successfully sent students to school with scholarships and coached students through ILMEA.

Kiara recently had the opportunity to study in Cuba with renowned artist, Ben Kamins. She performed in a chamber group with Cuban and American musicians under the organization CAYO (Cuban American Youth Symphony). As part of her trip, she raised money to purchase much needed basic supplies for the students in Cuba.

In addition to teaching, Kiara also takes the time to make bassoon reeds for each of her students, ensuring that they sound their best. This dedication is part of the reason she continues to have students come back year after year. 

Kiara also offers recorder lessons which are great for younger and older individuals. Kiara is open to teaching students of all ages and abilities here at Hip Cat Music School!  

Based out of Central Illinois, Beth Hildenbrand is a passionate educator, advocate for music education, clarinet pedagogue, and performer with more than 20 years’ experience. Beth holds a Master of Music in Performance and Bachelor of Music Education & Performance degrees from Illinois State University. Currently, she works in a full-time administrative position in the College of Education at ISU and is also pursuing her doctorate in Teaching & Learning.

During her master’s degree, Beth was a graduate teaching assistant and taught university students privately plus courses in clarinet techniques & fundamentals and music history. As a pedagogue, she serves in multiple clinical capacities, teaches master classes at schools & festivals, and adjudicates auditions & performances for ILMEA, IHSA, IGSMA, IESA, and school music programs throughout Illinois. 

Beth’s students have grown to perform & pursue degrees in music at the university level, attained top chairs in honor ensembles at both local district & state levels for ILMEA, achieved “Superior” and “Best of Day” honors for Solo & Ensemble events, and placed highly within their respective schools’ music programs. 

She is a member of the International Clarinet Association, the Illinois Music Educators’ Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Bloomington-Normal Music Teachers’ Association.

Throughout her 7 years as a student at ISU, Beth performed extensively in the university’s most prestigious ensembles as the principal clarinetist as well as an E-flat clarinetist and bass clarinetist and can be heard on numerous, award-winning recordings of the ISU Wind Symphony published by Naxos, Klavier, and Albany Records. Currently, Beth is the principal clarinetist in the Midwest Institute of Opera (MiO) Festival Orchestra and regularly performs professionally with many ensembles & organizations throughout Central Illinois.

Beth teaches clarinet & bass clarinet students of all levels & walks of life. Through use of carefully shaped goal-oriented feedback and reflective assessment, lessons focus on strong foundations in tone production, music literacy, audition, and practice through performance. Through a safe, fully collaborative environment of learning and growth, Beth is a resolute advocate for inclusivity. She is devoted to encouraging and celebrating each and every one of her students and subsequently helping them find strength, joy, and confidence while making music. 

Darius Botley is a saxophonist from Chicago, Illinois. He has studied the saxophone for 14 years and regularly performs around the central Illinois and Chicagoland area. Darius has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Jazz Studies from Illinois State University, where he is studying both classical and jazz saxophone. He was a member of the ISU saxophone studio for 4 years under the direction of Dr. Paul Nolen. He has performed regularly in ISU’s top jazz ensembles and is also a featured soloist for ISU’s Wind Symphony on a piece entitled Passages by Will Healy. Darius is available for lessons on classical and jazz saxophone and jazz improvisation with students of all ages. 

Sarah Lange has a Bachelor's degree in Music Business and a Master of Business Administration degree from Illinois State University. She was a member of the ISU flute studio for six years under the direction of Dr. Kim Risinger. Sarah has experience playing a wide variety of instruments including piccolo, alto and bass flute as well as alto and tenor saxophone. During her time at ISU she participated in nearly every music ensemble including concert band, marching band, pep band, jazz band and even concert choir. Sarah recently performed with rock-fusion band Marc Boon and the Day Drinkers and is the current House Manager of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and Grossinger Motors Arena. Sarah is passionate about supporting fine arts in the community and performs with several community ensembles. She has been a flute teacher at Hip Cat Music School for over two years loves to share her knowledge and love for music with students of any age and level.   

Sara Walsh is an educator who loves to watch students grow and flourish through music. Working toward a Music Education degree from Illinois State University, she has gained experience   through performing in concert bands, marching bands, orchestras, chamber groups, solo work, and participating in  music organizations. She enjoys spending time absorbing knowledge in her field of study. Outside of the school setting, she works in the Audio/Visual industry across the central Illinois area connecting the technology of sound with music.

Sara works with students of all ages and at a variety of levels. Her approach to lesson teaching involves meeting students where they are at, identifying their needs, and building new skills together. With this framework she helps students develop the direction, self-discipline, and focus that is vital for musicians.

As an oboist, Sara emphasizes the foundational techniques in producing a good sound. Since oboe reeds each have a mind of their own, she offers help in adjusting store-bought reeds and lessons in the various steps of reed making. Other focuses vary based on student wants and needs. This may include music literacy, music history, ILMEA and other auditions, or anything  that betters the personal connection between the student and their instrument. Sara's ultimate goal in lessons is to have students experience fun and accomplishment making music while being able to appreciate and celebrate themselves.

Chloe West has been studying the saxophone for over 11 years, currently under the direction of Dr. Paul Nolen at Illinois State University. She is working towards a degree in Music Education and Saxophone Performance with the goal of becoming a middle school band director and music educator. Chloe is an active performer in the ISU School of Music as well as in the Chicago area. 

She has been teaching private saxophone lessons for over 6 years and enjoys working with students of all ages and ability levels. Chloe also has experience teaching students with special needs, providing the additional support they require.

Chloe is dedicated to making sure her students feel seen and heard and helping them be comfortable with making mistakes, treating them as opportunities for learning. She is patient and wants her students to have fun making music. Chloe is driven to help her students find their purpose in music and would love the opportunity to work with you!