Our Mission

We at The Heart of Illinois Summer Music Clinic believe that musical talent is a gift from God to be (1) discovered with the help of great teachers, (2) developed with excellence, (3) returned with gratitude to God, and (4) shared with others. As a faculty, we aim to fulfill this fourfold purpose through our unique approach that integrates lessons, ensembles, special classes, and more with social time and camp worship through corporate singing of great hymns, as we tune our hearts and voices to sing God’s praise.

Our Story

In the summer of 2019, a number of musicians from Central Illinois were introduced to the Kentucky Christian String Camp, and several people were able to go to Louisville and participate.  It was a wonderful experience in so many ways, but because of the geographic distance and the fact that KYCSC is a day program that does not offer residential options for students, it’s not feasible for many people from this area to participate.  Seeing such great value and potential in such a venture, a few teachers from the area began to pray about starting something similar in our area.  From those prayers has developed the HOI SMC.  Our prayer and aim continues to be “to encourage hearts that glorify God through music.”  ​

Melissa Beutel (Director of Piano Studies)
A.A. Joliet Junior College
B.M. Bradley University

​Mrs. Beutel enjoys bringing the love of music to students of all ages.  For many years, she has taught private piano and violin students and currently teaches from her home in Tremont, IL.  Melissa has also worked with music programs at School Districts 150, 91, and 702, as well as some local homeschool co-ops. Additionally, Melissa has performed in the area with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and accompanied several local choirs.  Cornerstone Baptist of Groveland is her church home where she regularly participates in music ministry.  One of her favorite performance opportunities is playing in small ensembles, whether it be for weddings or special events. When she is not caring for her husband and two children, 10 and 13 years old, Melissa is a tea enthusiast, enjoys gardening, and taking trips to visit family.

David Getz (Composition)
B.M.E. Illinois Wesleyan University
M.M.E. Illinois State University
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David Getz is the Orchestra Director at Morton High School in Central Illinois as well as the conductor of the Central Illinois Concert Orchestra, an ensemble in the Youth Music Illinois organization.  He founded the Composers’ Guild at Morton High School in 2012, and his students have premiered more than 80 compositions since its inception.  In 2018, Getz composed, directed, and produced his first full-length musical, Ruth.  He is currently working with F-Flat Books on a book about teaching student composers that is scheduled to be out in the spring of 2023.  Getz lives in Morton, IL with his wife, Lauren, where they are active foster-parents.

Jane Hoffmire (Clinic Director/Violin)
B.M./ B.A. Illinois Wesleyan University
M.M. University of Illinois

Mrs. Hoffmire graduated from IL Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance, receiving a full tuition music scholarship, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. She furthered her education at the University of IL, where she was granted a teaching assistantship while earning a Master of Music degree in violin performance. Jane enjoyed performing in concerts and festivals in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Russia. In addition to maintaining a private violin studio for over 30 years, she has taught in the IL Wesleyan Preparatory Department and coached the Honors String Quartets for Youth Music IL. Her students consistently receive leadership positions in local youth orchestras and have received awards in local and state music competitions, in addition to receiving college music scholarships in and out of state. Jane has been blessed to see her students go on to pursue successful, professional music careers but is equally blessed when her students continue violin playing as a complement to their primary profession. She manages, contracts, and plays violin for the Peoria based River City String Quartet and judges district auditions for ILMEA. Jane appreciates the opportunity to serve in various ways at New Castle Bible Church. One of her greatest joys is being wife to Darin for over 30 years, mother to three adult, married daughters, and most recently, given the pleasure of becoming Grammy to two grandsons.

Lynnae Kellum (Worship Music)
B.M.E. Taylor University​

Lynnae holds a degree in music education from Taylor University and has taught general and vocal music to students from PreK through 12th grade. She currently teaches private piano lessons, organizes music camps through the Morton Park District, and serves on various worship teams in her church and other ministries in the area. One of Lynnae’s greatest joys is using her musical talents to worship God. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping young musicians to develop both their musical abilities and a heart of worship.

Brandon Mooberry (Bass)
B.M.E. Illinois State University
 
Brandon Mooberry is a bassist, composer, and teacher in the Central Illinois area. He attended ISU for music education. Brandon has enjoyed a career of playing in the studio, church, and venues across the country. As the first call bassist for the Peoria music union he has been thrilled to play in the orchestra pits for Wicked, Spamalot, Billy Elliott, and White Christmas at the Peoria Civic Center. He has also  performed with Victor Wooten, The Heartland Festival Orchestra, David “Fathead” Newman (Ray Charles), Eric Krasno (Soulive, 50 Cent), Bootsy Collins (James Brown, Parliament), David Hoffman (Ray Charles), Oteil Burbridge (The Allman Brothers Band), Ike Willis (Frank Zappa), Willie Waldman (Tupac, Snoop Dogg) and many more. He values his gift of teaching and his time with his students as they grow in music. 

Elsah Luan (Intern)
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Elsah Luan is currently a sophomore studying Violin Performance and Communication at Baylor University in Waco, TX. Elsah enjoys many forms of communication including photography, videography, and writing. She is a gifted communicator, and has amassed nearly 2000 followers on her YouTube Channel. At Baylor, Elsah studies violin under Patricia Shih and is blessed to have received both music and academic scholarship. She began her violin playing career studying with her father, Dr. Edward Luan, and later with Laura Otto and Jane Hoffmire. As a home school student, Elsah participated many years in Youth Music Illinois and as a sophomore won YMI’s Concerto Competition, which allowed her to solo with the Youth Symphony. She also won first place in the 2021 IL State Music Teachers Association Instrumental and Voice competition.  Currently Elsah enjoys making music with her peers as part of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, where she leads the 2nd Violin section. Elsah participated in the first HOI Summer Music Clinic and is excited to be an intern this summer, serving in the areas of communication and classroom support.

Charlotte Williams Muir  (Cello)
B.A. Lawrence University
M.M. Indiana University
D.M.A. Stony Brook University

Charlotte began playing the cello at age 5.  Her teachers included Suzanne Hayworth, Harry Sturm, John Sharp, and Nel Novak.  In high school, she placed in several competitions, including grand prize in the Grace Vamos competition, second prize in the Corpus Christi Competition, winner in the National Society of Arts and Letters competition, and winner in the Concord Chamber Orchestra Competition.
She went on to receive her B.A. at Lawrence University, her M.M. At Indiana University, and her D.M.A. at Stony Brook University.  In between her M.M. and D.M.A. Charlotte spent time studying in Switzerland at the Musik Akademie der Stadt Basel.  Her teachers have been Janet Anthony, Janos Starker, Thomas Demenga, and Colin Carr.  While in Switzerland, she soloed with the Basel Symphony, and at Indiana, she received the Performer’s Certificate, “in recognition of outstanding musical performance in cello.”  In addition she has appeared as soloist  with the Lawrence Symphony, Milwaukee Civic Orchestra, and Concord Chamber Orchestra, and has given recitals throughout the United States, Portugal, Switzerland, and France.  Her teaching experience has included many private students, as well as serving on the faculty of Illinois Wesleyan Cello and Chamber Camp, and Elm City ChamberFest.
Charlotte currently resides in Lisle, Illinois with her husband and two sons.  She homeschools her children, plays with the Heartland Festival Orchestra, at church, and has played on faculty recitals at Moody Bible Institute.

Laura Otto (Clinic Director/Violin)
B.M. Bradley University

Laura is the Director of the YMI Suzuki School of Music in Peoria, Illinois. She has been teaching violin lessons in the Peoria area for over 20 years and directs the Dolce String Ensemble at Youth Music Illinois.  A member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), Laura has received training at the American Suzuki Institute, Chicago Suzuki Institute, and the Colorado Suzuki Institute.
Laura studied violin performance at Bradley University and Illinois State University, studying with Marcia Henry Liebenow and Sarah Gentry. She was the winner of the Bradley Concerto-Aria Competition and recipient of the Presser Scholar Award. She has performed with the Bradley Symphony Orchestra (concertmaster), Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Heartland Festival Orchestra, Opera Illinois Orchestra, Aria International Music Academy, Nebraska Chamber Music Institute, and Domaine Forget International Music Academy. She enjoys freelancing with her string quartet, Heart Strings, throughout the Central Illinois area.
Laura and her husband, Ryan, live in Congerville with their four children. ​​

Casey Rinkenberger (Violin)
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Since Casey moved back to central Illinois in the summer of 2024, she has been active teaching violin, gigging, and playing in orchestras in the area.  With over 10 years of teaching experience, Casey currently has a thriving private violin studio and is a teacher at the YMI Suzuki School in Peoria.  She enjoys playing in regional ensembles including  the River City String Quartet, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and Heartland Festival Orchestra.  She recently graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Violin Performance. During her time there, she was grateful to study with Professor Patricia Shih and perform as concertmaster in the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, as a contracted player in the Waco Symphony, and in chamber music groups at the university and in the community.  She has had the privilege of performing at Bass Hall and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, TX.  Casey was also blessed to be able to play in an orchestra accompanying the Annie Moses Band at Carnegie Hall in 2018 and has been a soloist with the Central Illinois Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, she was awarded the Baylor School of Music Dean’s Award for “Outstanding Musical Performance.” Casey loves serving on her church worship team and has recently started a podcast, “Instruments of Worship,” which encourages and equips Christians in the classical music world.  This will be Casey’s 4th year teaching at the HOISMC, and she is excited for another great year of camp!

Katherine Grace Roy (Violin) 
B.M. Cedarville University 
M.A.B.S. Moody Bible Institute 
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Katie started the violin at age 7. She studied primarily with Kevin McMahon through high school, winning the IVSO concerto competition in spring 2000. Her college studies took her to Cedarville University where she studied under Stacey Woolley (Cincinnati SO), sitting concertmaster of the university orchestra, and graduating with a BM in violin performance. While in Ohio, she was the founding fiddler of the celtic group The Demerits. Further studies brought Katie back to Chicago, where she studied with David Taylor (Chicago SO) as she finished her MABS from Moody Bible Institute. She continued to receive coaching from Ilya Kaler (Depaul University) while in Chicago. 
Katherine's orchestral experiences include Concertmaster of the Wheaton Symphony Orchestra, Principal Second in the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, as well as subbing with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. She is also an active Chamber musician. Her performance opportunities have taken her to Canada, throughout Romania, Bulgaria, and across the United States. 
Katie teaches a full studio including work in the Illinois Wesleyan Preparatory Department. She uses a full range of resources driven by her Suzuki training with Ed Krietman and influenced by the curriculums of Kurt Sassmannhaus, Paul Rolland, and Mary Cohen. Her students have gone on major or minor in music in college, win local competitions, and perform with area ensembles.

Grace Trang (Piano)
​B.M. Concordia University
M.A. Western Illinois University
L.R.S.M. Royal Schools of Music

Grace Trang was born and raised in Macau, a former Portuguese colony close to Hong Kong where she was trained musically in the traditions of the Royal Schools of Music of Britain. She holds a Licentiate of Music from the RSM and a Bachelor of Music from Concordia University Chicago. After receiving her Master of Arts degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Western Illinois University, she returned to Hong Kong where she participated in the training of youth orchestras, both Western and Chinese. She is certified in the Kodaly method of teaching, a curriculum used in the Chinese International School of Hong Kong where she taught for four years. She has taught at Illinois Central College since 2007.  Her areas of teaching include Applied Piano, Class Piano and Music Appreciation.  
Grace is active in the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, currently serving as Senior Competitions Coordinator.  She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) of MTNA and has served as adjudicator in auditions and competitions at both state and local level.  She enjoys accompanying various instrumental and vocal recitals and competitions. She also maintains a private piano studio. Grace and her husband, Tom, reside in Germantown Hills and they have three adult children.

Diane Wuthrich (Clinic Director/Viola)
​B.M. Illinois Wesleyan University
​M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music

Diane enjoys an active musical life of performing and teaching.  She received viola performance degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University (B.M.) and the Cleveland Institute of Music (M.M.).  Following graduate school, Diane joined the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and performed, coached, and taught in the Tucson area until returning to Central Illinois.  She has performed with numerous ensembles in the region and is currently a member of Sinfonia da Camera (a chamber orchestra in Champaign, IL), the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Heartland Festival Orchestra where she serves as principal violist.  Diane also enjoys performing chamber music including regular engagements with the River City String Quartet.  She maintains a small private teaching studio and serves as a clinician throughout the Central Illinois region. Diane and her husband Daniel reside in Central Illinois where they homeschool their four children and are very active in their local church.