Long ago, Pat grew up on a farm in South Central IL and received a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. For 14 Years, she operated a Day Care out of her home in Carbondale, Champaign and Flossmoor, after which she returned to Civil Engineering at Bowman & Barrett in Chicago. Later, Pat worked for Robinson Engineering in their South Holland office and , as a consultant, served as Village Engineer for South Holland, Bridgeview and Olympia Fields. Pat was Vice President of Transportation and Partner in Firm.

Her kids, Ben, Katherine & Rachel Zeinz, were all in HF Viking Choir & loved learning from & working with Mike Rugen. Pat has been committed to community service and raising funds for Nonprofits her whole life. She is so grateful to be part of the amazing Spotlight Performance Academy! What a wonderful community!

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.

Tom Popelka is a Homewood resident for the past 13 years and is a strong supporter of the performing and visual arts personally and through his work at the University of Chicago. Tom has spent his entire career in higher education and currently serves as director of foundation and corporate relations at the University of Chicago, where he collaborates with the arts and humanities academic units, performance spaces, theatres, and museums to secure funding from foundations for their performing and visual arts programs.

Outside of his job, Tom enjoys music, reading, running, and (watching) soccer. With a wife and two girls who have all participated in Spotlight Performance Academy programs, he understands the joy and confidence that Spotlight programming can bring to individual students and families. He is delighted to use his fundraising experience at UChicago to help Spotlight create inclusive and engaging arts opportunities for youth and adults in the south suburbs. Tom also serves as an elected trustee of the Homewood Public Library.

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 earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, where she was actively involved in ensembles such as the Symphonic Winds, Chamber Winds, and the Big Red Marching Machine. She also served as president of the Delta Omicron Professional Music Fraternity. After graduating, Mrs. Whitlock taught band and choir at Bloom Township High School from 1999 to 2005.

In 2005, she left Bloom to pursue a Master’s degree in Wind Band Conducting at Central Michigan University. As a graduate teaching assistant at CMU, she studied with Jack Williamson, formerly of Wheeling High School. During her time there, she taught undergraduate conducting, assisted with the Marching Chips, and conducted the Symphony and University Bands. She also developed the Graduate Chamber Winds Program, which remains active at CMU. In her second year, she received the College Band Directors Association Gender and Ethics Scholarship at the Hart School of Music Conducting Symposium.

After completing her master’s degree, Mrs. Whitlock returned to Bloom Township District 206 and also taught at Argo Community High School. She has conducted clinics across Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois and has been a guest conductor for the South Suburban College Symphonic Band and the South Inter-Conference Association Honor Band.

A native of Rockford, Illinois, Mrs. Whitlock performed with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps for eight years, participating in the Phantom Regiment Pre-Cadets, Cadets, and the Phantom Regiment. She has also instructed the brass lines for the Pioneer and Phantom Regiment and served as Brass Caption Head for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps.

In 2021, Mrs. Whitlock was honored with the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award. Now in her 25th year of teaching, she has been the Director of Bands at Homewood-Flossmoor High School since 2009. Under her leadership, the Homewood-Flossmoor Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the 2022 IMEC Conference and the 2023 Midwest Clinic. The Viking Jazz Ensemble performed at the 2018 IMEC Conference with guest artist Chuck Parrish and performed at the 2024 IMEC Conference with guest artist and HF alumnus Christopher McBride.  Mrs. Whitlock is in her 27th year of teaching and has been 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.