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Fine Arts at the Homestead & Open House
March 24 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
*Due to Easter being on March 31st, our normal Open House for March will take place after the poetry & music on the 24th, and go from 3-5 pm!
Poetry & Music from 1-3 pm, then an Open House from 3-5 pm! (If you purchase admission to this event, the open house is free)
This is event #3 of our Fine Arts at the Homestead series. $10 Admission at the door.
About Beth Langdon
Beth Langdon is originally from Freeport and came to Decatur to attend Millikin University, graduating with a degree in Biology in 1982. She then attended Northwestern University and received a degree in Physical Therapy and returned to Decatur to work. She mainly practiced Physical therapy in home care, initially for the Visiting Nurse Association and then for St. John’s Home Care out of the St. Mary’s office. At that time she could tell you the location of every pay phone and where every back road led!
Beth Langdon is originally from Freeport and came to Decatur to attend Millikin University, graduating with a degree in Biology in 1982. She then attended Northwestern University and received a degree in Physical Therapy and returned to Decatur to work. She mainly practiced Physical therapy in home care, initially for the Visiting Nurse Association and then for St. John’s Home Care out of the St. Mary’s office. At that time she could tell you the location of every pay phone and where every back road led!
In 2017, she retired and began pursuing other interests including writing. Having dabble in poetry throughout her life, she started taking it more seriously recently, often taking on a spiritual tone. She feels many of the poems are “inspired” and often wakes in the night with a line or two in her head and then she “just runs with it”. In 2022, she worked with her church, Mt. Calvary Lutheran in Decatur, and published a book of poetry entitled, From my Heart to Yours. Since then, she has been writing several poems a week and has gathered enough for another book.
She will be sharing some poems from her book and her book to be!
About Colleen Hillyer
Colleen Hillyer, a Decatur native, earned her Bachelor of Music from Millikin University, a Master of Music from West Virginia University, and did postgraduate coursework at Shenandoah University, all
with a concentration in flute performance. She has had the privilege to study with renowned flutist, including Mr. Jonathan Snowden (Royal Philharmonic), Dr. John McMurtery (NYC Opera), Dr. Francesca Arnone, Mr. Bernard Goldberg (Pittsburgh Symphony), Dr. Francis Lapp Averitt (Maryland Symphony) and Dr. Laurie Glencross. Colleen is working on a master’s in education from the University of Mary.
Colleen Hillyer, a Decatur native, earned her Bachelor of Music from Millikin University, a Master of Music from West Virginia University, and did postgraduate coursework at Shenandoah University, all
with a concentration in flute performance. She has had the privilege to study with renowned flutist, including Mr. Jonathan Snowden (Royal Philharmonic), Dr. John McMurtery (NYC Opera), Dr. Francesca Arnone, Mr. Bernard Goldberg (Pittsburgh Symphony), Dr. Francis Lapp Averitt (Maryland Symphony) and Dr. Laurie Glencross. Colleen is working on a master’s in education from the University of Mary.
Colleen teaches 5th-12th grade band and instrumental music at St. Teresa High School, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and Holy Family Catholic School in Decatur, IL. In addition, she is adjunct faculty at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. She is a freelance musician in Central Illinois and often performs with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. When not performing, Colleen maintains an active flute studio, promotes educational opportunities for kids, serves on the Board of Directors of the
Symphony Guild for MDSO, is an advisor for the Millikin University and University of Illinois Chapters of Alpha Chi Omega. She is married to her husband, Ed, and they enjoy hanging with their dogs Avery and Sophie.
Symphony Guild for MDSO, is an advisor for the Millikin University and University of Illinois Chapters of Alpha Chi Omega. She is married to her husband, Ed, and they enjoy hanging with their dogs Avery and Sophie.