Toot Your Own Horn with Ben Hipp (Episode 33) - Reupload

Reupload: The first video got almost 850 views, but unfortunately, only shows 33 views to the public. This isn't ideal for our amazing guests who gave us their time, so we wanted to give it another try. Thanks for understanding and watching! Welcome back to another captivating episode of Toot Your Own Horn: Music Matters. This is Episode 33, and today we're diving deep into the inspiring journey of Ben Hipp. In this episode, you’ll get an inside look at how Ben navigates his interests in the music field—taking unexpected paths that neither he nor anyone around him anticipated. Ben’s musical journey began a bit later than most; he started band in the 5th grade and was quickly told by his director that he needed to find a private lesson teacher to catch up. Though he dreamed of playing the trumpet, a neighborhood clarinet teacher made the decision easy for a young Ben—he picked up the clarinet, and the adventure began. Growing up in a school district with a robust music program, Ben discovered the joy of playing music and embraced life as a band kid. However, it wasn't until the end of high school that he experienced a significant turning point—he realized he had the potential to excel, and with newfound dedication, he committed himself to practice. As his passion deepened, Ben chose to major in music. Initially drawn to music education, his journey took a different turn when he discovered his enthusiasm for teaching color guard. Armed with an art background, he also ventured into designing flags and costumes. Interestingly, it was his talent for teaching color guard that landed him his first full-time position, combining a part-time teaching role with a full-time role as an early college advisor. Fast forward 25 years, and Ben has spent a significant part of his career advising high school students, guiding them through their academic journeys while nurturing their artistic interests on the side. In 2018, he turned his longstanding passion for design and teaching into a full-time opportunity. Get ready for an episode filled with twists and turns—Ben reveals why he stepped away from music for seven years, what reignited his passion, and how he rekindled his love for this art form. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this enlightening conversation with the remarkable Ben Hipp on this episode of Toot Your Own Horn.