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.

Art Teacher

About me: My name is Holly Picker and I have an Art Education Degree. I live in Edwardsville and enjoy teaching art and making art. I am married and have 2
daughters Iris (8) and Zoe (21).

January Kid Art Class

How Much: $25 per session
Age Range: Available age 6-12
When: 5:30-7:30

January 8th – Make a Dragon Egg
January 15th –  Scrape Painting
January 22nd – DIY Marbled Coasters
January 29th – Perler Bead Fun

Trumpet Teacher

Thomas (Tom) Bruce began playing trumpet in the 5th grade, and soon earned a place as the youngest member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra brass section. Since, he has studied or had lessons with many famous trumpet players: Susan Slaughter-St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Armando Ghitalla-Boston Symphony Orchestra, Vincent Cichowicz-Chicago Symphony, Manny Laureano- Minnesota Orchestra/Seattle Symphony, Rolf Quinque-Munich Philharmonic/Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, David Tasa-Frankfurter Opernhaus- und Museumsorchester and others.

Tom completed both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees and earning his teacher’s certifications in Illinois, Missouri and from the Association of Christian Schools International. His teaching experience ranges from being the itinerant teacher doing K through 6th “off a cart” to adjunct faculty with the National University of Singapore, to high school concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, choirs, and orchestras. Also, General Science, English and English as a Second Language.

He is currently principal trumpet in the Edwardsville Symphony, the University City Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Civic Orchestra.

Art Teacher

Paper artist, Amanda Braundmeier, has been crafting since she could hold a glue bottle. Her current passion is card making through Stampin Up. She believes not only in making the pretty cards, but in the importance of sending them out to spread joy and to encourage others. Amanda is happy to join the arts team!

Violin Teacher

Katie Shortt has been sharing her love of the violin with students in the Highland, Illinois area for several years. A lifelong educator at heart, Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and spent five years teaching 5th grade—the very same grade when she first discovered her passion for the violin. With 16 years of playing experience, she brings both technical skill and a deep appreciation for music to her teaching. Katie is passionate about creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students can build confidence, develop their skills, and find joy in making music.

Oboe Teacher

S. Blake Duncan has enjoyed a varied career as an oboist, English Horn
player, Baroque Oboist, a performer of early music and recorder, and as a teacher. Mr. Duncan is currently teaching as the Oboe Instructor at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Previously he served as an affiliate faculty member in the Music Department at Bradley University for 17 years, teaching oboe, recorder, music appreciation, music technology and as the director of the early music Collegium Musicum. He also served on the faculty as oboe instructor, chair of the woodwind department, director of the Collegium Musicum and as a member of the Moveré Woodwind Quintet for the Lutheran Summer Music Program for 15 years and has been a member of the Illinois, Peoria and Cedar Rapids IA Symphony Orchestras playing English Horn and oboe.

Mr. Duncan currently plays principal oboe with the Edwardsville Symphony Orchestra and he continues to perform as a member of the Peoria Bach Festival Orchestra, of which he was a founding member. Additionally, he also performs throughout southern Illinois and the St Louis area as a free-lance oboist on both modern and historical oboes. 

Mr. Duncan earned a bachelor of music performance in oboe from the New England Conservatory in Boston and a Master of Music in Conducting and Oboe from Binghamton University. 

Theater Teacher

Kylee Delucca is finishing her final semester of college but is already prepparing to share her knowledge and skill in theater with her community. Using the principles and practices of theater, students actively engage in storytelling, character development, and improvisation. In order to deepen their understanding of communication and empathy, we learn to express ourselves creatively, all while having fun and performing for an audience. 

Art Teacher

Mrs. Hoelscher (pronounced H-ell-sh-er) is the newest art teacher at Highland Music School. I have been teaching art in the Highland School District for 6 years. Before that. I designed and taught art camps at the Edwardsville YMCA for 3 years. I’m very excited to take on more students through this wonderful program!

Bachelor’s Degree: SIUE 2019
Major: Art Education K-12
Minor: Art History
Focus Areas: Drawing, Graphic Design, Metalsmithing and other medium available

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.

Beginning Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Voice

Victoria Kleeman is a Board-Certified Music Therapist for children in Special Education. She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with her B.A. in Music and Psychology in 2018. She then headed to Maryville University in St. Louis where she graduated with her Masters in Music Therapy in 2022.

Victoria has been teaching private lessons in and around the St. Louis area since 2018. She teaches piano, guitar, ukulele, and voice lessons. Victoria has a passion for working with all ages and abilities to cultivate a love for music and feel successful at the end of each lesson.

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.

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.

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

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

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!