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!  

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 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!