School Director

Angelina attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under the Honors Quartet Scholarship, Johnetta Haley Scholarship, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Ms. McLaughlin-Heil instructed a music program in Waukegan, Illinois. Other teaching positions followed at the Ferguson-Florissant school district in Missouri and Edwardsville Illinois high school and several elementary schools. During her tenure at Edwardsville, she received an “Extra Effort” award from the district for her role in their production of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

Angelina served as a full scholarship graduate assistant while completing her masters in orchestral conducting from Illinois State University in 2015.

Ms. McLaughlin-Heil also performs in several symphony orchestras in the St.Louis area and is the founding director of the Highland Music School in Highland, Illinois. She was also the founding director of the Belleville Philharmonic’s Beginning Strings program, frequently performs for weddings and events with the Londolfi String Quartet, and is the founding director of the non-profit Edwardsville Community Symphony, which is a full symphony orchestra that performs summer concerts in the park for the Edwardsville, Illinois community.

Violin Teacher

Tom Winter began playing violin as a freelancer in 2013 for numerous weddings, orchestras, retirement communities and churches in the greater St. Louis area. He is the principal 2nd violinist of both the Alton Symphony and the University City Symphony Orchestra. Tom met the Highland Music School’s director Angelina while playing for the Landolfi String Quartet.

Tom began studying violin at the age of six. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Lindenwood University. He has been teaching the after-school 5th grade orchestra program for the Webster Groves School District since 2019.

Tom enjoys maximizing having run with students and aims to balance rigurious study with unconventional, creative outlets. These includes improvisation, singing, entertaining, broadcasting, Retirement Community concerts, and who knows what else.

Bass, Guitar, Ukelele and Mandolin Teacher

Logan Perez is originally from New York City, located in Highland, IL, where he participated in band and choir programs. After graduation from Highland High School, Logan attended SWIC, where he studied bass and earned his associate degree in music technology. He then attended SIUE, where he studied Jazz Bass and Recording. Logan has been performing professionally in the STL area for the last ten years. You can find him performing in bluegrass, jazz, rock, and blues ensembles. He is currently a member of the Silver Creek Bluegrass Band, The Mellow Ds, Kim Robins Band, and Julian Davis and the Situation, but you just might catch him subbing for another local act if you keep your eye out.

Logan has been teaching private lessons for the last ten years. He offers electric bass, upright bass, guitar, ukelele, and mandolin lessons. He believes that teaching students to learn to play music with others is a critical component of musical success.

Violin, Viola and Chamber Music Teacher

Dr. Jessica Platt is the concertmaster of the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra, the Edwardsville Symphony, and the Town and Country Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Platt believes all students should study solo repertoire, chamber music, composition, improvisation, theory, history and technology in order to understand music at the highest level possible. Teaching the entire human being is her goal. Currently, Dr. Platt conducts the orchestra at Lindenwood University and teaches applied violin, viola, chamber music, history and string pedagogy. She also teaches at the Webster Community Music School.

Art Teacher

Courtney Sellers graduated from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo in 2010 with a B.A. in Education with a K-12 teaching certification and a B.A. in Studio Art. In December of 2022, she later graduated with her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lindenwood University. Mrs. Sellers has explored teaching visual arts for multiple locations and environments. She has taught for COCA in St. Louis, Edwardsville Arts Center, Holly’s House of Hope, and has continued to teach full time for Highland CUSD #5 for thirteen years. The best part of her job is seeing how the arts can affect a student regardless of age or ability for the better. Mrs. Sellers has twin daughters, is married to her best friend, and has two large but extremely lovable dogs. She is honored to work with the professionals at the Highland Music School.

Flute Teacher

Teresa Coulton is a music educator with a passion for teaching early childhood music as well as flute. At the age of three, Teresa knew she wanted to play the flute and eventually followed her dreams to Eastern Illinois University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education (2016) and her master’s degree in Flute Performance (2019). While at EIU, Teresa was the principal flutist of the Eastern Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Symphony. She won the 2018-2019 Concerto Competition and performed in solo recitals and chamber ensembles. After college, Teresa taught preschool-8th grade general music until deciding to stay home with her two beautiful children. She is dedicated to helping her students form a lifelong love of music!

Piano Teacher

Lindsey has been teaching piano lessons in the greater Alton area for the last seven years. Along with teaching applied piano lessons, she is also music faculty at Lewis and Clark Community College where she teaches Class Piano, Non-Western Music, and Music Appreciation. Lindsey holds a masters degree in Piano Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is a doctoral candidate at Liberty University studying Music Education. When not in the classroom you can find her performing solo classical works, playing in local dance groups, playing for wedding ceremonies and church services, or accompanying student performances and competitions.

Concert Band Instrument Teacher

Mr. Dave Williams is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. He taught K-5 General Music in the St. Louis Public Schools for 11 years and Band and Choir in the Ferguson-Florissant School District for 24 years. He currently plays French Horn in the Alton Municipal Band and Edwardsville Symphony Orchestra as well as French Horn and Electric Bass in The Northwinds Concert Band of Florissant, Missouri. He is a certified teacher and qualified to teach any concert band instrument.

Highland Music School private lessons are thirty minutes for $30. All faculty are independent contractors. Email Dave to schedule: dcw641@aol.com

Guitar, Electric Bass Guitar & Ukulele Teacher

Tristan Coan is a career guitarist, with a Bachelor’s in Jazz Guitar Performance at SIUE. He has played in many groups ranging from Jazz to Rock, and in many settings including weddings, Busch Stadium Fox Midwest Live, concert halls such as The Sheldon, and many different bars/restaurants around the area. Tristan has traveled to play shows in states including Texas, Florida, Montana, North Carolina etc.

Started teaching in January 2019, Tristan learned that music can be challenging at any skill level, and it can be the most rewarding experience. Tristan loves to see his students progress and grow in music. You must be willing to take time and commit to practice, as well as listen to music that you enjoy.

“I have been a musician my whole life. I decided to take my musical skills to the next level when I enrolled in the music program at SIUE in 2015. I learned a great deal of knowledge and skill from the professors at SIUE. I graduated in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, with a specialty in Jazz Guitar. I’m a career musician, so feel free to ask me anything about music, I would be happy to talk to you!”

Saxophone Teacher

Jerry Cobetto, graduated with a B.A. 1982 from SIUE and M.M. 1986 from SIUE. and is the secretary-treasurer of A.F.M., Local 98 (Edwardsville, IL) and Secretary-Treasurer of A.F.M. Illinois Conference of Musicians. He has performed with numerous music ensembles for over 40 years. A current member of Dave Hylla’s Good Times Band, as well as the Waterloo German Band. Jerry is the principal alto saxophonist in the Edwardsville Municipal Band (EMB), which he’s been a member of since 1976. He plays alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, and tutors on all three saxes.

Piano Teacher

Linda Plant has a passion for sharing her love of music. She has completed Master Level classes in Music Education as well as the rigorous course work for National Board Certification. She taught Music Education in Bond County Schools for several years and then accepted the position of Music Specialist for Edwardsville District 7. Later that year she was awarded the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest award, the Award of Excellence for her exceptional work in Fine Arts Education.

Linda was invited to serve as Assistant Director alongside Director Liz Goodman with the UNLV Children’s Chorus when they attended the Pacific Rim International Children’s Chorus under the leadership of Henry Leck. She has been honored to play on stage with Dino Kartsonakis and was granted time to play the organ at the Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado Spring, Co.

She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm as she is looking forward to serving the Highland Music School as Piano Instructor. “It truly is an honor to be teaching along side some of the finest musicians in this area. I’m grateful to Angelina McLaughlin-Heil for providing me with this opportunity.”

Guitar Teacher

Canaan Gibbs is a multi instrumentalist who has graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville with a Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance in the spring of 2020. Canaan studied primarily on trumpet while attending SIUE, as well as spent many hours on keyboard, and guitar. He is planning on continuing his studies at SIUE as a graduate student, while also working as a teacher’s assistant. Currently, Canaan works for Halpin Music company where he visits schools to deliver supplies, as well as repair instruments. He also gigs with many groups regularly, such as St. Louis’s top rated party band Griffin and the Gargoyles, as well as The Red Jackets, The Mellow D’s, Solo trumpet and guitar, and many other groups in the St. Louis area, while also traveling around the country for other shows.

Canaan Is excited to bring his knowledge of musical, and gigging experience to students. Canaan has been consistently giving private lessons since 2013, and enjoys getting to help further peoples musical skills.

Jazz Piano Teacher

Pauline Stark, M.S., has a Classical Degree in Music, SIUE.

She taught public school and studio piano for 26 years. Ms. Pauline plays at many events, weddings and special events and at Michael’s Restaurant in Highland, Illinois.

Voice Teacher

Caitlin Hadeler is a performer and educator throughout St. Louis and the Metro East. Caitlin received her Masters in Opera Performance from Longy School of Music of Bard College. While in New England she performed with several local companies and after moving back to Edwardsville she has sang with Union Avenue Opera, Hard Road Theatre, Summer Showbiz, and will join Winter Opera of St. Louis this coming season.

Caitlin’s passion for teaching began while in her undergraduate study at Millikin University, she has been teaching privately ever since. She also is an adjunct professor of voice at Greenville University. Teaching was an instant fit for her natural ability to problem solve and attention to detail. Along with her focus on voice she also teaches music and theatre within her community. She has already enjoyed working with the many talented kids in Highland while music directing the junior shows for Hard Road and cannot wait to join the Highland Music School.

Voice, Beginner Piano & Beginner Clarinet

An artist with a love of opera, Baroque music, and musical theater, soprano Alexandra Billhartz is a native of New Baden, IL. She currently performs with Winter Opera St. Louis, the Bach Society of St. Louis, and the American Chamber Chorale. Recent operatic roles include Apparition (Macbeth), Bianca (La Rondine), Fiametta (The Gondoliers), Gretel (Hansel und Gretel), Cercatrice Prima Sorella (Suor Angelica), Norina (Don Pasquale), Musetta (La Bohème), Despina (Così fan tutte), and Zerlina (Don Giovanni). She also served as the Soprano Young Artist with the Bach Society of St. Louis for the 2021-2022 season. Broadway World recently
said she “has the very face of a G&S maiden: lofted delicate brows that express a perpetual delighted surprise.” Additionally, Alexandra is an accomplished clarinetist and pianist and is a member of the Highland Municipal Band. Ms. Billhartz earned her BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Evansville in 2016, graduating summa cum laude, and her MM in Vocal Performance from Ball State University in 2019.

Trumpet, Horn, Flute, Clarinet, Trombone, Tuba, & Beginners Percussion, Early Childhood Music

Colleen Baker is a General Music Teacher at Highland Primary School. Originally from New York, she started playing the trumpet at age 11 with a local drum and bugle corps. She went on to study trumpet and Music Education at Roberts Wesleyan College, where she earned her BS in Music Education in 1993. During her time at RWC, she performed in the wind ensemble, orchestra, several chamber groups, and sang with the prestigious Roberts Wesleyan Chorale. She holds a Master of Music Education with a Concentration in Music Technology from Illinois State University (1995), where she was a member of the wind symphony, orchestra, trumpet ensemble, brass quintet, and the top choir. Throughout her time in university, Mrs. Baker continued performing as a freelance musician and remained active as a private lesson teacher and instructor with many local marching ensembles.

Since 1995 when she began teaching full time with the Highland School District, Mrs. Baker has enjoyed teaching music to students of all ages as well as performing as a freelance musician and with many local ensembles. She has excelled as an instrumental and general music teacher in Highland, Belle Valley and Belleville. In 2017, Mrs. Baker earned National Board Certification in Early Childhood Music.

She loves getting to teach what she is most passionate about. Currently, she delights in teaching her young students the unbridled joy of music making by way of finding their own voice, fundamentals, and of course, fun!

All faculty and staff are independent contractors.