Meet our teachers…

Executive Director of Spotlight Performance Academy, Director of Bel Canto Choir Program, Mini Musicals, Spotlight Show Choir

Carrie Bonanotte serves as the 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.

Miss Angie’s Music classes/ Children’s Choir

Angie Pope has been teaching early childhood family music classes since 2010, when she became a certified Musikgarten educator. In 2012 she founded "Miss Angie's Music" and currently teaches baby, toddler, and preschool level classes at various locations in the south suburbs. Angie is also a professional vocalist with Beatmix Music and performs with the band “BKO” most weekends at private events. She was a member of TheatreBAM! Chicago for 16 years, with whom she performed several educational musicals including "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" at theaters and elementary schools throughout the country. Angie is extremely passionate about music and feels blessed to be able to share her love of music with people of all ages!

Click HERE to learn more about Miss Angie’s Music!

Find her on FaceBook and Instagram under “Miss Angie’s Music LLC”.

Improv

Kate Wiersema has been involved with the Chicago area improv community for the last 12 years. She has trained with Comedy Sportz Chicago and has completed The Music Program at The Second City. Kate has played with various groups in the suburbs including No Limit Laughs in Orland Park and Improductions LLC in Northwest, Indiana. Currently, she plays with Comedy Sportz Chicago Minor League. Kate has taught children's improv though park districts, theater organizations, and through her club at school for the last ten years. Kate has also been an elementary special education teacher for the last twelve years.

Mini Musicals

Megan Marshall comes to Spotlight Performance Academy with over 25 years of experience leading choirs and musical productions. Ms. Marshall holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lawrence University and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Northern Illinois University. Ms. Marshall is a music teacher with Matteson District 162 where she teaches general music, conducts the Inspirational Choir and Summer-STREAM Chorus.

Ms. Marshall’s work as a music teacher for ten years in both public and private schools, as well as 15-year season in full time church music ministry, has given her the opportunity to hone her skills as an educator, conductor, director, administrator and volunteer coordinator for many performances and events. She has served as stage director and music director for various productions with Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School and Mokena Junior High School. Ms. Marshall was on the conducting staff with Anima-Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus, received the Artist Teacher Diploma from the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education and later served as Business Manager for their Institutes at Carthage College. She was also a selected masterclass conductor at the Sarteano Conducting Workshop in Sarteano, Italy in 2010.

Ms. Marshall enjoys performing and recording vocals with a local nouveau-gospel style band, "Out of the Whirlwind"; and recently stepped back on stage as a cast member in a production of Into the Woods with St. Genesius Productions. She is grateful for her lifelong journey of sharing her passion for creating music in community with people of all ages. Ms. Marshall always strives to joyfully empower her singers to find their own uniquely created voice, develop self-confidence, and thoughtfully connect to the meaning of the music they share.

Intro To Acting, Basc Acting, and Acting Through Words and Song Workshops

Meghan Hoyt is a professional actor, most recently appearing in "Elf" at Drury Lane Theatre. She holds a B.S. in Acting from Illinois State University and has appeared in films, commercials, and theatre all around the Chicagoland area. Meghan has coached IHSA Speech for over a decade and has taught workshops at the Illinois Theatre Fest as well as studios and theatres throughout the Chicago suburbs. Meghan specializes in coaching Musical Theatre Performance, Intimacy Coaching, creating Brave/Safe Spaces, and On-Camera Acting.

Joe Hoyt was a professional actor for 15 years, performing in Chicago as well as regional theatres all across the United States. He has been running the Drama program at Joliet Central for 15 years where he directs the play productions, musicals, and head coaches their award-winning IHSA Speech Team. Joe specializes in coaching Acting Technique, Audition Preparation, On-Camera Acting, and Dialects and has taught workshops at the Illinois Theatre Fest as well as studios and theatres throughout the Chicago suburbs.

Bel Canto Voices of Power

Amanda M. Thomas, is a retired church music director who continues to consult with, and direct church choirs. She is a mezzo soprano, choral clinician, conductor, and has been a vocal instructor in the Chicagoland area for many years. Amanda earned a B.A. in music from Saint Xavier University of Chicago, where she studied vocal pedagogy, and choral conducting. She teaches, sings, and enjoys the challenge of conducting many genres of music, including chant, classical, jazz, gospel, pop, theater, South African choral music, and music with interesting text or languages.

Philosophy of Music

As a music educator, conductor, workshop facilitator, and worship leader, my role is to provide a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for each person, to feel valued, and empowered to thrive through the music at hand.

Richard Pniewski is a retired CPS English and Drama teacher, having prepared and sent students, over the years, to competitions such as the August Wilson Monologue Competition, the ISHA Group Interpretation and Drama Competitions, and the Chicago Student Showcase. He has directed plays for Artcraft Theatre in the Beverly neighborhood, Evergreen Park's Candlelight Theatre, 23 Miles South, and Spotlight Performance Academy. As a storyteller he has appeared at Do Not Submit, This Much is True, Homewood Stories, Life out Loud, as well as other venues, and is a Moth winner. He believes personal storytelling is a way to connect with others and realize our experiences are universal.