Heidi Brooks, M.M. Musicology, piano primary (Class of 2026)

Heidi began her childhood piano studies as a Suzuki student of Dr. Michael Campbell (student of Leon Fleisher). She went on to obtain a bachelor's of music in Piano Performance from Western Illinois University in 2008. While studying at WIU, Heidi was chosen as a winner in the 2006 Concerto/Aria Competition. During her time as a university student, Heidi studied solo and chamber piano abroad with various teachers in Vienna, Austria, Gabrovo, Bulgaria and Rzeszow, Poland. While studying with pianist Stefan Kutrzeba in Poland, Heidi was immersed in his revolutionary teachings on Heinrich Neuhaus and the Chopin Method which have highly influenced Heidi’s work as a pianist. She now seeks to incorporate his ideas with the Suzuki Piano Method. An active pianist, Heidi has worked as an accompanist and chamber musician under performers such as Rami Solomonow, Mathieu Dufour and Atilla Aldemir and has worked at both DePaul University (Chicago) and Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL) as an accompanist. She has also held posts as a church organist from 2011 to 2021 in Macomb, Lincoln and Bloomington, IL. Heidi has been teaching piano for over 16 years. She received her Suzuki piano training in 2018 and opened her first Suzuki piano studio in the same year. Currently, Heidi is a graduate student at Western Illinois University studying Musicology under Dr. Brian Locke and piano with Dr. Natalie Landowski.

Nicolo Echague, M.M. Piano Performance (Class of 2026)

Nicolo Paulo Echague earned his degree of Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Prof. Mary Anne Espina at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. His interest in music began when he was 10 yrs old , experimenting with the guitar, drums, and basic note reading, finally resolving his passion with the piano at the age of 13. He performed as a pianist in the annual Sampung Mga Daliri and The Pasinaya Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In addition to this, he also has an inclination towards Jazz with several Masterclasses attended: Tokyo Manila Jazz Festival, Impromazurka - Artur Dutkiewicz, and Classical meets Jazz Masterclass - Francois Botha, these on top of more masterclasses, that further developed his strong musical and technical foundation.

Christian Gonzales, M.M. Piano Performance (Class of 2025)

Christian Gonzales, a pianist and a licensed professional teacher, was born in Fabrica, Sagay City, Negros Occidental. He graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Music-Major in Piano, Minor in Voice from Silliman University, Dumaguete City, under the tutelage of Prof. Isabel D. Vista. Months after his bachelor’s degree graduation, Christian was given the opportunity to be one of the chosen delegates for the two recognized festivals in the Philippines, namely, the 2nd Manila International Piano Festival 2019 and the 1st Jovita Fuentes and Jose Contreras (JFJC) Music Institute Festival, under full scholarships. Christian had received and attended piano masterclasses from world-renowned pianists both local (Philippines) and international. During his post-graduate transitioning years, he took lessons from respected pianists Dr. Clement Acevedo, Leonor Kilayko, and Richelle Rivera. He is now taking up his master’s degree in piano performance at Western Illinois University under the tutelage of Dr. Natalie Landowski. Christian is also a piano accompanying graduate assistant and a community music school piano instructor at Western Illinois University.

Grant Hibbeler, B.M. Choral Music Education (Class of 2025)

Grant is a senior choral music education major from Batavia, IL. As a double primary studying flute and voice, he has also harbored a lifelong love for the piano. Grant joins the studio to improve upon 15 years of private study with his mom, a WIU Piano Studio graduate from the Class of 1996. In his time at Western he has participated in University Singers, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Combos, and University Orchestra. Grant travelled with University Singers to Omaha, NE to perform at the American Choral Directors Association's Regional Conference in February of 2024, and will travel to New York City with Wind Ensemble to perform at Carnegie Hall in May 2025. Outside of school, Grant is a member of Chicago-area jazz-funk combo Cod City, in which he plays keyboards, flute, and saxophone. He holds a deep love for the music of Billy Joel, and after student teaching and graduation hopes to teach high school choir and music appreciation.

Mattias Luitjens, B.M. Piano Performance and B.S. in Computer Science (Class of 2027)

Mattias is a Piano Performance major and doubles as a Computer Science major. He is from the small town of Olds, Iowa and went to WACO High School. He has been taking piano lessons since first grade and will continue his lessons here at Western. In high school, Mattias participated in every music ensemble the school offered including concert band, string orchestra, and concert choir. During high school, he took lessons from Margaret Runaas. One of his favorite memories in music is playing with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra in March of 2023. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2027 and will most likely continue to graduate school afterwards.

Sarah Stinemates, B.M. Music Therapy, piano primary (Class of 2028)

My name is Sarah Stinemates, and I have been playing piano since the age of eight. Since then, I have participated in several solo and ensemble regional competitions, receiving Division I ratings with piano solos, duets, and flute solos. In high school, I was the flute section leader for the school marching and concert band, and I also accompanied our school choir and soloists for regional contests. Playing the organ for my local church has also been one of the most enjoyable things I have done musically. Although I have only been at Western a short time, I am involved in the Centennial Honors College, guitar ensemble, piano studio, club volleyball, and several other student clubs and organizations.

Jacob Van Buren, M.M. Piano Pedagogy (Class of 2026)

Jacob's interest in music and the piano began at the age of 12, alongside being in choir. He would go on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Saginaw Valley State University under Dr. Chia-Ying Chan. Jacob has participated and performed in several masterclasses held at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan. These were led by renowned pianists, such as Dr. Wan-Chin Chang, Dr. David Brickle, and Dr. Amy Gustafson. Currently, Jacob is pursuing his master's degree in Piano Pedagogy at Western Illinois University under the direction of Dr. Natalie Landowski. He is the current Class Piano and Community Music School Teaching Assistant, and is a current member of the Music Teachers National Association (WIU MTNA Chapter). Outside his musical pursuits, Jacob enjoys various activities such as crochet, embroidery, cooking, and painting.

Gabriel Zahnle, B.S. Zoology and B.M. Piano Performance (Class of 2025)

Gabriel Zahnle was born and raised in Macomb, Illinois. He started taking piano lessons at the age of 4 and has continued playing ever since. He took lessons from local piano teacher Dr. Jenny Perron until graduating from high school. His pre-collegiate experience culminated in learning and performing the Bach Concerto No. 1 in D Minor. After high school he took a one year break and resumed lessons under Dr. Landowski. Gabriel hopes to transfer out to California and finish a scientific scuba diving degree. He loves fish and learning about animal behavior, and plans to work with fish and in water.