“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso
Hello!
My name is Hilary Soderling. I am a right-brain creative with two lifelong passions—art and music—that have shaped both my personal and professional journey. It wasn’t until I voluntarily began teaching piano through a community service project in high school that I discovered a third passion: working with children. Through that experience, I realized I have a natural ability to break down complex material into simple, accessible concepts, as well as an instinct for building meaningful, supportive relationships with students.
I went on to pursue my academic interests by earning a degree in Art Education along with a K–12 teaching license from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, my hometown. Throughout my training and professional career, I have accumulated nearly 3,000 hours of experience working with children ages one through eighteen through a combination of licensure programs and educational roles.
Professionally, I have worked for private art instruction companies, served in a long term substitute art teacher position in an elementary school in San Diego, California, and most rewardingly taught at Lux Art Institute. Originally, I taught ages 4–7 for their summer art program. Later hired on as full time staff, I have taken on responsibilities including curriculum development, leading instructional programs, and serving as a “Luxcursion” tour guide, where I introduced students to resident artists and provided behind-the-scenes exposure to their creative processes. I also designed and taught two core programs: one centered on the techniques, inspiration, and artistic practices of the resident artist we hosted in our museum space. Another titled “Art from Around the World,” introduced students to diverse cultural traditions, artistic methods, and global perspectives.
In 2020, I founded Arts on the Go, through which I have been teaching both piano and art to families in California and Washington. I find deep fulfillment in helping students explore creativity, build confidence, and experience the pride that comes from artistic expression in both music and visual art.
I have been playing the piano since elementary school and, although I didn’t always enjoy it at the time, I am deeply grateful to my mother for encouraging me to stick with it. That early foundation grew into a lifelong passion for music, performance, and teaching.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of performing in numerous recitals and concerts, as well as serving as the “on-call” pianist for the Poudre Canyon Chapel. Each year, I performed solos and duets with my mother for the chapel’s Christmas program—an experience that was especially meaningful to me, having grown up attending church there with my grandparents. These experiences have shaped both my musicianship and my ability to perform confidently in a variety of settings.
I have four years of experience teaching beginning and intermediate piano students. My teaching journey began in high school when I voluntarily taught piano to five children for a year through the IB program. This culminated in a final concert that showcased each student’s growth and cumulative understanding, while also raising $1,000 for the oncology department at Children’s Hospital in Denver.
In 2016, I continued my teaching career as an instructor with California Music Studios and Port Angeles Academy of Music. In these roles, I prepared students for two recitals per year, where even beginners were expected to perform a memorized piece, building confidence, discipline, and strong foundational skills.
I bring both structure and creativity to my teaching, and I am passionate about helping students discover not only how to play piano, but how to connect with music in a meaningful and lasting way.