Beth is the daughter of the founders of Kidder Music Service and has officially been with the company since 1987. Growing up, she played the clarinet, piano, and took voice lessons. She attended Dunlap High School and has her Bachelors in Music Business from Bradley University. Beth is now happily married to husband, Jay, has a step son, Bobby, and two kitties, Bill and Izzie.
Professionally, Beth served on the NAMM Board of Directors and was the president of NAYMM from 1998-2000. She is involved with industry associations and groups such as NASMD, NAMM, AMC and their projects to promote the benefits of making music. She enjoys singing with the Morton Civic Chorus and performing their Encore show each year. Beth oversees the Sterling and Bloomington stores, purchases inventory and instruments, controls the inventory, and manages personnel.
Ede is also a founder of Kidder Music Service and has been with the company for over 30 years. She plays the piano, organ, and saxophone. Ede received her Bachelors in Spanish and her Masters in English at the University of Illinois. Ede supervises all accounting functions within the company.
Jim is the founder of Kidder Music Service and has been with the company for over 30 years. He received his Bachelors in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and his Masters in Education Administration from Bradley University. Jim is a past board member of National Association of Music Merchants, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, National Association of School Music Dealers, Central Illinois Youth Symphony, and served as president of the National Association of School Music Dealers.
Peoria Store & Business Office
Carl has been with the company since 1987. Carl is a well known trombone player throughout the community. He received his Bachelors in Business Finance from Bradley University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Carl is the Peoria store manager, handles accessory purchasing, training and education, and credit management and collections.
In addition to his duties at Kidder, Carl also teaches the music business program at Bradley University. He is an active free-lance musician performing with the Prairie Wind Ensemble, Peoria Municipal Band, and many other groups. He is the leader of the Carl Anderson New Orleans Band and co-leader of the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra.
Angela has been with Kidder Music since 2002. She plays flute, piccolo and piano and received her Bachelors in Music Education and Performance from Bradley University. Angela taught high school band and choir for 3 years at Putnam County High School. She is currently teaching private flute lessons and performs with various area ensembles, including the Peoria Municipal Band.
Phil has been with Kidder Music since 2011. He plays trumpet and received his Bachelors in Music Business from Southern Illinois University. While at SIUC, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Studio Jazz Orchestra, and the Marching Salukis. He is an alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and served as the SIUC School of Music’s Recital Hall Manager.
He and his wife, Katlin, were recently married in April of 2012. He enjoys playing & singing at Scared Heart Church, visiting the dog park and spending time with friends and family.
Josh has been with Kidder Music since November 2003. He received his Bachelors from Bradley University in 1999. Currently, he lives in Washington with his wife, Beth and son, Elliott.
Professionally, Josh is a BMI songwriter/composer, having some of his most recent works being played on local radio. Josh is an active studio musician both on piano and drum set having recorded on many artist’s albums and demos. Currently, Josh is working on recording his first studio album. He is also actively involved with the worship ministry at his church. In addition to his other duties at Kidder, Josh is the coordinator for the preschool tours in the spring as well as the Digital Piano/Keyboard sales specialist.
Wayne began in the music department at Kidder Music in Peoria in May of 2009, but began teaching private lessons in 2007. Wayne has over 25 years teaching and conducting experience in both instrumental and choral music, and is currently the director of Grace Symphonic Winds at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria.
Wayne is a clarinetist, and is a sub with the Peoria Municipal Band. He can teach a variety of instruments at the beginning level; however, he can teach advanced clarinet. He lives in Peoria with his wife and two daughters.
In May of 2010, Katie graduated from Bradley University Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Vocal Performance. While at Bradley, she was named the 2009-2010 Presser Scholar and was a winner of the Concerto-Aria Competition in 2008 and 2010. During her senior year, Katie served as student conductor for the Bradley Chorale. As an active member in the Bradley Chorale, Chamber Singers, Bradley Community Chorus, Opera Workshop, and Sigma Alpha Iota it is obvious that Katie has a great passion for music. She also enjoys teaching her growing private voice and piano studio and singing in her church choir. Katie lives in Peoria with her husband Andrew and their dog Charlie
Skip has been with Kidder Music since 1993 and is a trumpet player. Skip received his Bachelors in Music Education from Bradley University and his Masters from University of Iowa. For 17 years, Skip was a band director he claims as his real education. Skip is happily married to his wife Mary Ann. He has grown children, Kristy and Derek, and is a resident of East Peoria. In his leisure time, Skip enjoys playing golf.
Greg King came to Kidder Music in January of 1988. He graduated from Illinois Central College with a Associates in Arts Degree. He continued his education at Northern Illinois University by completing his Bachelor’s in the spring of 1983. He is a percussionist by trade. He has been the drumline instructor at Dunlap High School for the past four years. He is currently a member of one of the worship teams at Richwoods Christian Church in Peoria, playing drums and occasionally as a guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist. He has been married for 24 years to his wife Donna and has two children, Connor and Makenzie. He bases his success at Kidder Music on developing long standing relationships with his customers and providing them with the best service possible.
Graduating from Bradley University in 2006 with a Bachelor Degree in Music Business, he studied with Dr. Todd Kelly and participated in the Bradley Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Symphonic Winds, Chorale Brass Choir, and Orchestra. While at Bradley, Kevin participated in two European tours with the Jazz Ensemble including festivals in Paris, Brienz, Monteux, Vienne, Tuscany, and Umbria. He was also featured in the Bradley Jazz Ensemble’s 2007 CD entitled, “Swing, Swing, Swing.”
After graduation, Kevin became an Educational Representative with Kidder Music, where he travels to schools all over North Central Illinois providing students and educators with quality band instruments, repairs, music, and accessories. After hours, Kevin maintains a busy performance schedule performing with the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, Peoria Municipal Band, Peoria Bach Festival, and as the leader of his own small jazz group called, “Charade”. He also has a thriving trumpet studio with high school and junior high students from Dunlap, Chillicothe, and East Peoria. Kevin receives his greatest pleasure from playing his trumpet or flugelhorn during worship services at churches throughout Central Illinois including St. Mary’s Cathedral, Northwoods Community Church, Grace Presbyterian, and at his home church, Bradley Epworth. Kevin and his wife, Abby, have been married for 5 years and have two beautiful little girls, Olivia Rose and Evangeline Grace.
Dan recently retired from the Illinois Valley Central School District where he served as Director of Bands for 30 years. While at IVC, the band program grew to be recognized as one of the top all-round programs in the state. The Marching Grey Ghosts brought home 12 State Championship Trophies and made numerous Bowl appearances, the Jazz Band was a top finisher at major jazz festivals and the Wind Ensemble received only superior ratings at the state contest.
Dan is still active as a drill writer, clinician, judge and guest conductor. Since retiring he has started to teach privately. He is also the stage manager for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Dan is an active trombonist in the area performing with the Prairie Wind Ensemble, Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, Central Illinois Brass Band and the River Valley Brass Quintet
As string tech at Kidder Music, Dan has been able to combine his two favorite hobbies: music and woodworking. Dan has attended workshops at NAPBIRT and has consulted with area string teachers in order to gain further knowledge in this area and better serve our customers
Dan is married to Christine Vandre, another area musician and director. They have two grown children, Abby and Alex
Charlie has been with Kidder Music since the beginning in 1974. Over the years, he built a reputation as one of the best brass technicians in the state. He retired for a few years to care for his wife, Sandra. We are fortunate to have him back in the shop a couple of days a week!
Aaron returned to Kidder Music Service in 2003, repairing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. He is a percussionist and currently is the head drum instructor for Illinois Valley Central High School marching band. Aaron received his Associates degree from Midstate College in Computer and Information Science. Aaron has four children: Ajay, Jaydn, Dylon, and Loygn.
Doug is no stranger to many local music students. Doug developed an interest in music as a trumpet player in band. After 8 years in the Air Force, he began to give back time and effort to local marching bands, and has done so for 18 years. He’s served as the drumline instructor for Limestone and has worked the IVC summer band camp. In addition, he has also assisted the band program at Mossville. Doug is married and has two children.
Returning to Kidder Music in 2009, JoEllen currently handles the accounts receivable. She resides in Peoria with her husband.
Deb has been with Kidder Music since 2008 and handles our accounts receivables. She has over twenty years of collections experience mostly in the music industry and truly loves her job which is helping customers to resolve difficult situations.
Sarah has been with Kidder Music since June 2009. She takes care of shipping and receiving all of the music that flows through the Kidder Music locations. Sarah resides in Morton with her husband and their 2 daughters. She is a member of the Peoria Pops, and participates in the worship team at her church.
Bloomington Store
Darin started with Kidder Music Service 2001. He is a percussionist, with an emphasis on drum set. Darin received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Eureka College. Contact Darin for questions in sales, lessons, and special orders with accessories.
Sara joined Kidder Music in August of 2007. Her primary duties are to manage the sheet music inventory and special orders. She also teaches clarinet in our lesson studio.
Phil has been with Kidder Music since 2011. He plays trumpet and received his Bachelors in Music Business from Southern Illinois University. While at SIUC, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Studio Jazz Orchestra, and the Marching Salukis. He is an alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and served as the SIUC School of Music’s Recital Hall Manager.
He and his wife, Katlin, were recently married in April of 2012. He enjoys playing & singing at Scared Heart Church, visiting the dog park and spending time with friends and family.
Jay Larson started with Kidder Music in 2009. Jay is a professional guitarist, and instructor with over 21 years of experience. He has toured with professional groups and recorded all original music as well with many regional acts. Jay apprenticed at a pro guitar shop on the West coast, and does expert guitar repair. As an instructor Jay can teach a wide variety of styles at any skill level. In addition to guitar Jay offers instruction on bass, mandolin, slide guitar or dobro, and beginning banjo and ukulele.
Sterling Store
Terry has been with Kidder Music Service since 1994. He plays the guitar.
Contact Terry for questions regarding sales, guitar/amp repair, and sound installation.
Steve has been with Kidder Music Service since 2001. He is drummer and plays in many groups in the area. Contact Steve for questions regarding sales and drum repair.
Ben is a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University. He is a violinist and violist with various orchestras in the Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa regions. Ben currently teaches violin, viola, and cello at Woodlawn Arts Academy. Feel free to contact him if you have questions about sheet music or instrument rental and accessories.