Fine Arts at the Homestead – Event 4 of 4
April 27, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
This is our 4th and final part of this series! We will feature local educator and poet, Ron Lybarger, and local musician, Colleen Hillyer! Admission is $10 per person. There will be a short intermission in between segments as well as light refreshments. After the event there will be a public open house from 3-5pm, and everyone who attends this event will get to tour it for FREE!
Ron Lybarger has been a Decatur Public School Language Arts teacher for 20 years. He has sponsored and facilitated the Veritas Creative Writing Club at Eisenhower High School for the past 16 years as well as coached Poetry Out Loud contestants for the past 13 years. He enjoys writing poetry and cultivating growth in his students.
Poetry is the language of souls and that “soulspeak” creates a wonderful communion of minds and hearts.
Nature and Relationships are my often muses. Exemplifying the Love of God is my passion and speaking Life and Truth into situations and trauma is my mission.
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 flutists, 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 instrumental music at St. Teresa High School and has served on faculty at Lincoln Land Community College, Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Family Catholic Schools. 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 Decatur Choral Society, 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, Buoy and Splash.