About Us

As Homewood School District 153’s oldest parent-run organization, the Homewood Parent Music Association (PMA) has been supporting music education in Homewood schools for 70 years. Today’s PMA is proud to be continuing this long legacy by supporting and funding music opportunities for all of our students.

In District 153, all students are music students. And PMA is committed to making sure that students of all ages have the opportunity to choose their own musical paths.

District 153’s exemplary music programs at Willow, Churchill, and James Hart foster growth, learning, and a love for performing and musicianship that will keep our young musicians engaged for years to come – and well beyond their time as students with us.

PMA is proud to support all aspects of our district’s comprehensive programs, from the general music classes that all students from Kindergarten through 8th grade enjoy, to our extracurricular programs like musical theater at James Hart, our beginner ensembles at Churchill, and all of our award-winning middle school Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras.

What We Do

PMA is dedicated to strengthening and supporting music education district-wide. We do this by:

giving direct monetary support to the music programs and Music Labs at Willow, Churchill, and James Hart;
providing need-based support to District 153 families so that program costs are not a barrier to music education or enrichment for any student;
purchasing instruments, uniforms, and equipment for the district’s music classes, Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras;
funding annual Wish Lists for music teachers, so they have flexible funds they can use to meet classroom and student needs as they arise;
subsidizing costs for professional clinicians and accompanists who come in to work with and support our student musicians;
granting full scholarships to in-district music summer camps;
awarding partial summer camp scholarships to esteemed music camps in the Midwest, including Illinois Summer Youth Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan;
supporting the music staff and students by volunteering at events, concerts, performances, and trips to contests across the Chicagoland region;
promoting the district music programs to the larger community to help raise the profile of our incredible staff and the ensembles they direct, and to ensure our student musicians receive the attention and respect their hard work and dedication have earned;
hosting fundraisers, candy sales, and other charitable drives to ensure PMA remains financially sustainable for years to come;
…and so much more.

James Hart band students performed on the high school football field at Youth Night
James Hart students performing in 2024’s production of Moana, Jr.
Churchill’s Homewood Children’s Chorus performing at a Chicago Wolves hockey game.
Willow students saved their WIllow Wows for the opportunity to march with the H-F Band and perform for their classmates.
Students at rehearsal for the Fall 2022 production of Madagascar, Jr.
James Hart Symphonic Band members rehearsing for Youth Night with H-F High School and Parker Junior High. Our community partnerships present unique opportunities for students.
Celebrating a successful James Hart production of Aladdin, Jr.!
Our music students have many talents! Many of our Choir members are also in Band or Orchestra—or play secondary instruments in their free time.
Members of the James Hart Concert Orchestra posing for their yearbook shot.
Jazz Band students in uniform and ready to perform for a gym filled with family and friends.
One of the best parts of summer music camp at District 153? Taking popsicle breaks and trips to Culver's with your friends!
Members of the Panther Choir posing for a group shot before a performance.
The 6th grade band performing at their 2022 winter concert in the H-F Performing Arts Center.
Our music teachers bring technology into their classrooms whenever they can. Tools like these help District 153 students learn more about theory and composition.
James Hart choir students hanging out together during class.
Symphonic Band students hanging out at the District 153 Back to School event.
District 153 students from Band, Choir, and Orchestra hanging out together between performances at ILMEA.
The Panther Choir performing in H-F’s Performing Arts Center during one of their seasonal concerts.
Symphonic Band Students ready to take the field at H-F Youth Night.
Student actors backstage at the Fall 2022 production of Madagascar, Jr.
A band ensemble warming up in a classroom before school.
Choir friends hanging out in their classroom before a rehearsal.

2024-2025 Board

Becky Popelka
President

Meghann Salus
Vice President

Allison Hoover-Kinne
Secretary

Cecilia Garcia
Treasurer

Imani Harris
Fundraising Chair

Lavonna Tunstall & Stacy McCary
Publicity Chairs

Jessica Wintermantle
Uniform Chair - Band

Jessica Lopez
Uniform Chair - Orchestra

Sarah Cobban Meeks
Pass the Baton Chair

Jo Greep
Webmaster

Hope Zawaski
Past President

PMA Board members are nominated each spring and elected annually at our general meeting in May. All current PMA members are eligible to vote. Terms are one-year, starting June 1 and ending May 31. Board Members are not financially compensated.

If you’re interested in learning more or running for election to the Board, please attend an upcoming meeting or contact us directly. PMA is 100% volunteer-run and we can’t do any of the work we do without your ongoing support!

Julie Holly
Music Teacher
James Hart

Beth Houston
Band & Percussion Director
Churchill & James Hart

Matt Johnson
Band & Jazz Band Director
James Hart

Heather Olsen
Choir Director
James Hart

District Music Staff

Amelia Riedel
Music Teacher
Willow

Nikki Sawilchik
Music Teacher & Choir Director
Churchill

Jennifer Venutolo
Orchestra Director
Churchill

Sara White
Orchestra Director
James Hart