Our Woodwind Studio

Kiara Price is an enthusiastic educator who loves seeing her students succeed. She teaches bassoon and clarinet at Hip Cat Music School with a degree in Music Education from Illinois State University while pursing her master's degree. 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 would be happy to give you lessons here at Hip Cat Music School!  

Beth Hildenbrand is clarinetist, pedagogue, and music educator based out of Central Illinois. A native of Fairbury, Beth holds a master’s degree in Music Performance as well as Bachelor of Music Education and Performance degrees from Illinois State University. Throughout her 7 years at ISU, she performed extensively in the university’s most prestigious ensembles as the principal clarinetist, an E-flat clarinetist, and a bass clarinetist, and she can be heard on numerous, award-winning recordings of wind band repertoire. Currently, Beth performs as the principal clarinetist in the Midwest Institute of Opera (MiO) Festival Orchestra, and she also regularly performs with many ensembles & organizations throughout Central Illinois. 

In addition to her experience as a performer, Beth is a passionate music educator & clarinet pedagogue. She has maintained a dedicated studio of clarinetists, bass clarinetists, and saxophonists for nearly 20 years. As the teaching assistant during her graduate studies, she taught university clarinet students privately, taught courses in clarinet technique & fundamentals, and assisted in teaching music history courses. She teaches clarinet master classes and sectionals at all levels at schools & festivals throughout Central Illinois and also regularly adjudicates auditions for ILMEA, IESA, IGSMA, IHSA, and various schools & music programs. Beth’s students have grown to perform & pursue degrees in music at the university level, placed within honor ensembles at both 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 National Association for Music Education, and the Bloomington-Normal Music Teachers’ Association. 

Beth teaches clarinet & bass clarinet students of all ages and levels. She helps students develop strong foundations in tone production, music literacy, audition, and ensemble playing. She works to help students build confidence, intention, and independence within themselves through every facet of performing. Her goal is to help each & every one of her students find joy and fulfillment through making music.

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 is a saxophone instructor studying Music Education and Saxophone Performance at ISU. Chloe currently performs with ISU's Symphonic Winds as Co-Principal, and in the Halcyon Quartet. Chloe is a strong believer that music and learning should be fun. She is driven to help her students find purpose in music and she would love to work with you!  

Darius Botley Is a saxophonist from Chicago, Illinois. He has studied saxophone for 13 years and regularly performs around the central Illinois and Chicagoland area. Darius is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education and Jazz Studies at Illinois State University where he is studying both classical and jazz saxophone. 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.