Woodwind Faculty
Cara Hachten
Saxophone & Flute
Cara teaches in person and remote lessons on Mondays from 4-8pm.
Cara (Kinney) Hachten is a saxophonist, woodwind musician, and arts administrator. A versatile performer, Cara is passionate about curating connections, collaborating with other musicians, and inspiring audiences through music. Originally from Maine, Cara participates in ensembles, chamber groups, and musical theater productions across New England. She can be seen performing with the Firebird Pops Orchestra, Opus One Big Band, and the Boston University Saxophone Ensemble. Cara received her master's degree in saxophone performance from Boston University and completed her undergraduate studies at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia, where she double majored in music performance and communication. She has participated in recordings as a member of the Fredonia Saxophone Ensemble and the Boston University Wind Ensemble. Her primary teachers include Joe Kingston, Dr. Wildy Zumwalt, Bruce Johnstone, and Dr. Jennifer Bill.
Outside of performing, Cara enjoys sewing, skiing, hiking, and being outdoors. Cara and her husband, Jeremy, recently relocated to Southern New Hampshire. To learn more about Cara and see her upcoming performances, visit carakinney.com.
Dr. Tim Skinner
Clarinet & Saxophone
Tim teaches in person and remote lessons on Thursdays 2-8pm.
Dr. Timothy Skinner has been teaching and playing professionally for over 10 years. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas, a Master of Music degree from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Music degree from California State University in Northridge. After finishing school in 2015, Dr. Skinner won the audition for bass clarinetist of the New Mexico Philharmonic, a position he still holds today. In addition to his time with the NM Phil, he has performed on soprano, bass, and e-flat clarinet with the Santa Fe Opera, the Dallas Winds, the Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe ProMusica, and the Del Sol String Quartet.
Dr. Skinner has held several teaching positions throughout the United States, including as a lecturer at the University of New Mexico, and currently teaches at the Campus School of Smith College in addition to his work here at NCMS. His favorite non-musical activities include reading books of all kinds, skiing and hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and watching (too many) food and travel videos on YouTube.
Molly Shetler
Flute
Molly teaches in person and remote lessons on Tuesdays 4-6:30pm.
Originally from Sturbridge, Massachusetts, Molly Shetler holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Music Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She studied under many admirable professors such as James Patrick Miller, Matthew Westgate, Christopher Krueger and the late George Parks of the Minuteman Marching Band. Her experience in the marching band and university ensembles brought her across the country performing at Lucas Oil Stadium, Michigan State University, and even to NY at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
She taught in Massachusetts and New Hampshire public schools for 8 years teaching a wide range of classes which included middle school and elementary band, chorus and general music in a variety of settings along with teaching flute privately. Molly’s primary instrument is flute, but she can also play piccolo, tin whistle, Irish flute and the alto flute. Molly also plays in her church’s worship team in Nashua. There, she helps plan worship services with her husband who is the worship coordinator. This position gives her the opportunity to regularly play other instruments like the drum set, synth and sing.
Outside of playing music, Molly is a mom of two boys, 3 and almost 5 years old. She stays home with them during the day and then in the afternoon/evening, you will find Molly at the front desk entrance of NCMS in our office greeting everyone who walks in.