Carrie Bonanotte is the founder and Executive Director of the Spotlight Performance Academy, where she executes the mission of the organization by curating programming and teaching high quality performing arts classes. Carrie holds a Bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and Master's Degree from VanderCook College of Music, both in Music Education with vocal emphasis.

Carrie has been directing award winning Children’s Choirs, Show Choirs, and Musicals since 2002. She has been a sought after adjudicator and clinician for the Illinois Grade School Music Association since 2008.

Carrie is the founder of the Bel Canto Children’s Choir which has grown to be the largest community children’s choir in the south suburbs of Chicago. Carrie takes pride in connecting with her students while creating an atmosphere of compassion and excitement for every class.

Joey Bonanotte is a dedicated educator, musician, and community leader currently serving as the Beginning Band and Cadet Band Director, as well as the Teacher Union President for Darien Public School District 61. A passionate advocate for students and teachers alike, Mr. Bonanotte has previously held administrative roles within the district, including Administrative Assistant and Assistant Principal.

Beyond his work in education, Mr. Bonanotte is an active performer and mentor. He performs with the Sounds of Illinois Brass Choir and the Bel Canto Community Choir, teaches private trumpet lessons, and supports music and marching band instruction at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

Mr. Bonanotte holds degrees in music education and educational leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Vandercook College of Music, and Concordia University Chicago. A proud Homewood resident, he is committed to nurturing musical talent and fostering leadership within the educational community.

Amabel Crawford is a Flossmoor resident and serves as the Director of Learning and Instruction for Flossmoor School District 161. Amabel also serves on the Board of Directors for the South Cook Regional Office of Education.

Katharine Herrman worked in public libraries for almost twenty years with a specialty in library services for children and families. Before taking a professional hiatus to raise her own family, Katharine served as the Project Manager for the Kraft Great Kids Read program at the Chicago Public Library, where she had the privilege to manage the museum passport program and to work with families in twenty-four diverse neighborhoods throughout Chicago.

In addition to her library work, Katharine has written several articles for the Louisa May Alcott Encyclopedia and self published a chapbook of poetry. Since 2019, she has written and shared a short story nearly every day.

Katharine believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, socio-economic status, or ability. Her own children have participated in programs through Spotlight Performance Academy since January 2019 and she is delighted to sing with the Community Choir.

Renee Miller is a Homewood resident and a Professional Development Facilitator and Coach for Erikson Institute. A lifelong musical theater lover, she believes in the power of music to create positive and empowering experiences for children.

Heidi Rouleau brings a deep commitment to community and a passion for the performing arts to the Spotlight Performance Academy Board. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Theatre and History from Millikin University and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University.

As Managing Director of Academics and School Programs for a Chicago-based education nonprofit, Heidi has dedicated her career to expanding access to cultural and educational opportunities. Her years of leadership across the nonprofit sector have equipped her with a deep appreciation of how arts and culture works to build, inspire, and uplift communities. 

Heidi's connection to Spotlight Performance Academy is personal and heartfelt. She is a Homewood resident and she and her daughter are active members of the Community and Children's Choirs. She knows firsthand the joy, belonging, and growth that the performing arts bring to individuals, families, and communities alike, and is honored to help advance the mission of Spotlight Performance Academy for participants and audiences of all ages and backgrounds throughout the south suburbs.

Katie Stadt is a Homewood resident, a high school STEM teacher, and a lifelong performer and supporter of choral arts and musical theater.  She joined the Bel Canto Community Choir in January 2024 and is thrilled to join the Spotlight Performance Academy Board of Directors. 

Although she specializes in mathematics and computer science, as an educator Katie believes that music is an essential component of a well-rounded education. It helps children and adults build character, teamwork skills, discipline, and compassion and enhances cognitive development. 

Many of her best memories, starting from a very young age, include making music with others. She is delighted to be part of an organization that offers those same experiences to her community.

Sarah Whitlock received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree at Illinois State University. At ISU, Mrs. Whitlock was active in many groups such as the Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds, and the Big Red Marching Machine. She was also president of the Delta Omicron Professional Music Fraternity.

Upon graduation, Mrs. Whitlock taught Band and Choir at Bloom Township High School from 1999-2005. In 2005 she left Bloom to pursue her Masters in Wind Band Conducting from Central Michigan University. While at CMU, Mrs. Whitlock was a graduate teaching assistant and studied with Jack Williamson, formerly of Wheeling High School. There she taught undergraduate conducting, assisted with the Marching Chips, and conducted the Symphony and University Bands, and developed the Graduate Chamber Winds Program. During her time at CMU, Mrs. Whitlock was awarded the College Band Directors Association Gender and Ethics Scholarship at the Hart School of Music Conducting Symposium.

Since Graduate School Mrs. Whitlock returned to Bloom Township District 206 as well as Argo Community High School. In addition, she has conducted several clinics in Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois. She has been a guest conductor for the South Suburban College Symphonic Band and the South Inter-Conference Association Honor Band. Mrs. Whitlock marched with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps for eight years. She has instructed the Pioneer, Phantom Regiment brass lines and was Brass Caption head for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.

In the summer of 2021, Mrs Whitlock was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award. Mrs. Whitlock is in her 24th year of teaching and has been the Director of Bands at Homewood-Flossmoor High School since 2009.

Jessica is a Homewood parent, a veteran middle school English teacher, and a life-long advocate for the arts. Jessica and her family have been involved with Spotlight since moving to Homewood in 2020. She has witnessed the power of the exceptional teaching and supportive environment that are hallmarks of Spotlight’s programs, which allow students across generations the opportunity to grow and shine.

Jessica believes in the essentiality of art to our shared humanity, and is proud to use her educational background to support the quality programming that brings joy, music, and performing arts to our community.