Meet the CAKE Board
Erin Flynn, President
Erin Flynn is excited to serve on the CAKE board - to support this joyful community of music educators and its enthusiastic commitment to inquiry, reflection and growth in the field of music education. Erin is a K-3 general music teacher in North Chicago, District 187. Erin is especially inspired by CAKE’s commitment to equity in the music classroom and its rigorous expectation that educators truly understand the history and origin of folk repertoire and the deep memory held within a folk tune. Erin graduated in theater arts from Northwestern University and holds a masters degree in early childhood education from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Erin completed three levels of Kodaly certification at DePaul University School of Music. She loves singing, playing piano, writing children’s songs about music in nature, mothering, playing fiddle, and teaching fiddle to young children.
Erin Flynn is excited to serve on the CAKE board - to support this joyful community of music educators and its enthusiastic commitment to inquiry, reflection and growth in the field of music education. Erin is a K-3 general music teacher in North Chicago, District 187. Erin is especially inspired by CAKE’s commitment to equity in the music classroom and its rigorous expectation that educators truly understand the history and origin of folk repertoire and the deep memory held within a folk tune. Erin graduated in theater arts from Northwestern University and holds a masters degree in early childhood education from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Erin completed three levels of Kodaly certification at DePaul University School of Music. She loves singing, playing piano, writing children’s songs about music in nature, mothering, playing fiddle, and teaching fiddle to young children.
Anna Ausmann, President Elect
Anna Ausmann is an active musician and educator in the Chicago area. She currently teaches K-8 general music and band at Rondout School District 72 in the Lake Forest/Libertyville area. Previously she also taught K-8 general music and band at CICS West Belden, a charter school in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood of Chicago. While at CICS West Belden, Anna was a recipient of the VH1 Foundation’s Save the Music Grant, which fully funded the start up of a beginning band program. Anna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (flute) from DePaul University and a Masters of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. She completed her Kodaly Mastery Certificate from DePaul University, as well as her Orff Certification. Anna currently freelances in the Chicago area and is a member of Flutopia, an 8 piece flute choir.
Anna Ausmann is an active musician and educator in the Chicago area. She currently teaches K-8 general music and band at Rondout School District 72 in the Lake Forest/Libertyville area. Previously she also taught K-8 general music and band at CICS West Belden, a charter school in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood of Chicago. While at CICS West Belden, Anna was a recipient of the VH1 Foundation’s Save the Music Grant, which fully funded the start up of a beginning band program. Anna holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (flute) from DePaul University and a Masters of Music in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. She completed her Kodaly Mastery Certificate from DePaul University, as well as her Orff Certification. Anna currently freelances in the Chicago area and is a member of Flutopia, an 8 piece flute choir.
Felicity Cole, Treasurer
Felicity Cole is a second year K-5 general music and choir teacher at Longfellow Elementary in Wheeling District 21. Cole holds a degree in music education from DePaul University and is on her way to being Kodàly and Orff certified at Vandercook and DePaul. In 2022, she was invited to participate in Illinois Music Education Association’s Emerging Leaders conference in which she participated in strategic planning to improve and refine current ILMEA programs. In her free time, Cole teaches private saxophone lessons.
Felicity Cole is a second year K-5 general music and choir teacher at Longfellow Elementary in Wheeling District 21. Cole holds a degree in music education from DePaul University and is on her way to being Kodàly and Orff certified at Vandercook and DePaul. In 2022, she was invited to participate in Illinois Music Education Association’s Emerging Leaders conference in which she participated in strategic planning to improve and refine current ILMEA programs. In her free time, Cole teaches private saxophone lessons.
Meg Rieger, Membership Secretary
Meg Rieger is in her 12th year of teaching in Chicago Public Schools. She teaches K-8 general music at Audubon School in Roscoe Village. She holds her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and in music from Illinois Wesleyan University (’11) and her master’s degrees in music education from Northwestern University (’18). She currently serves on her school’s Instructional Leadership Team and is an Arts Instructional Specialist with the Chicago Public School’s Arts Department. She has previously been on staff at the Old Town School of Folk Music teaching children’s music classes over the summer and on the weekend. She holds her Kodaly Level I from Depaul University.
Meg Rieger is in her 12th year of teaching in Chicago Public Schools. She teaches K-8 general music at Audubon School in Roscoe Village. She holds her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and in music from Illinois Wesleyan University (’11) and her master’s degrees in music education from Northwestern University (’18). She currently serves on her school’s Instructional Leadership Team and is an Arts Instructional Specialist with the Chicago Public School’s Arts Department. She has previously been on staff at the Old Town School of Folk Music teaching children’s music classes over the summer and on the weekend. She holds her Kodaly Level I from Depaul University.
Jeremy Bartunek, Webmaster
Multiple GRAMMY Nominee, Yamaha "40-Under-40" Excellence in Teaching honoree, and Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching winner Jeremy Bartunek has dedicated his career to inspiring young musicians through innovative and inclusive music education. Since 2013, he has been shaping young musicians at Northbrook School District 28, where he integrates Kodály and Orff methodologies to create an engaging and culturally relevant curriculum. As the founder and director of the Northbrook 28 Children’s Choir, he leads over 175 students in community performances across Chicago. As the guest conductor for the 2025 CCSD21 Choral Festival, he continues to be recognized for his ability to elevate choral performance and foster a love of music among students.
A passionate advocate for arts education, Jeremy directs large-scale productions, mentors student teachers, and oversees a student-led fundraiser that has raised over $27,000 for the Wheelchair Foundation. His expertise has led him to present at major conferences, including the MKMEA Regional Conference and the ACDA Children and Community Youth Choir Conductors' National Retreat.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Jeremy is a dedicated researcher pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Boston University. He has served as a Visiting Research Fellow at Northwestern University and holds multiple certifications in Kodály and Orff methodologies. His leadership extends to serving as a Golden Apple Academy Fellow and managing digital initiatives for professional music organizations.
He has been a featured performer on Good Morning America, at The House of Blues, and at the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conference. Ensembles under his direction have performed at Wrigley Field Gallagher Way, Daley Plaza in Chicago, at the Illuminate Northbrook Festival, and Allstate Arena.
Multiple GRAMMY Nominee, Yamaha "40-Under-40" Excellence in Teaching honoree, and Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching winner Jeremy Bartunek has dedicated his career to inspiring young musicians through innovative and inclusive music education. Since 2013, he has been shaping young musicians at Northbrook School District 28, where he integrates Kodály and Orff methodologies to create an engaging and culturally relevant curriculum. As the founder and director of the Northbrook 28 Children’s Choir, he leads over 175 students in community performances across Chicago. As the guest conductor for the 2025 CCSD21 Choral Festival, he continues to be recognized for his ability to elevate choral performance and foster a love of music among students.
A passionate advocate for arts education, Jeremy directs large-scale productions, mentors student teachers, and oversees a student-led fundraiser that has raised over $27,000 for the Wheelchair Foundation. His expertise has led him to present at major conferences, including the MKMEA Regional Conference and the ACDA Children and Community Youth Choir Conductors' National Retreat.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Jeremy is a dedicated researcher pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Boston University. He has served as a Visiting Research Fellow at Northwestern University and holds multiple certifications in Kodály and Orff methodologies. His leadership extends to serving as a Golden Apple Academy Fellow and managing digital initiatives for professional music organizations.
He has been a featured performer on Good Morning America, at The House of Blues, and at the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conference. Ensembles under his direction have performed at Wrigley Field Gallagher Way, Daley Plaza in Chicago, at the Illuminate Northbrook Festival, and Allstate Arena.
Dana Plazak, Member-at-Large
Dana Plazak is a K-5 general music and choir teacher in Oak Park District 97. She has been teaching elementary music since 2018, after completing her undergraduate studies in music education and vocal performance from Roosevelt University. She has completed her first two levels of Kodàly training from DePaul University, and is looking forward to completing them soon. When she isn’t teaching, Dana sings with Chicago Choral Artists and loves to bake!
Dana Plazak is a K-5 general music and choir teacher in Oak Park District 97. She has been teaching elementary music since 2018, after completing her undergraduate studies in music education and vocal performance from Roosevelt University. She has completed her first two levels of Kodàly training from DePaul University, and is looking forward to completing them soon. When she isn’t teaching, Dana sings with Chicago Choral Artists and loves to bake!
James McDunn, Member-at-Large
James (Jamey) McDunn is an ASCAP-affiliated, Award-winning Songwriter.
He holds a Master of Arts degree in Speech (Northeastern IL Univ) and
a Master of Music Education (VanderCook College of Music). He holds
All But Dissertation status in Instructional Technology (Northern
Illinois University). He has taught various subjects, including Music,
Drama and Technology since 2001.
James (Jamey) McDunn is an ASCAP-affiliated, Award-winning Songwriter.
He holds a Master of Arts degree in Speech (Northeastern IL Univ) and
a Master of Music Education (VanderCook College of Music). He holds
All But Dissertation status in Instructional Technology (Northern
Illinois University). He has taught various subjects, including Music,
Drama and Technology since 2001.
Vicki Long, Past President
Vicki Long is a K-4 elementary general music teacher and 5th grade beginning band director at Queen Bee School District 16. She also has experience teaching general and instrumental music at the middle and high school levels and was on faculty at Northern Illinois University teaching Double Reed Techniques. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from Northern Illinois University. In addition, she is certified in the Kodály approach and is working towards completing her Orff Schulwerk approach through DePaul University and holds an ESL endorsement from St. Francis University. Outside of teaching, she is the principal bassoonist of Chicago’s Lakeview Orchestra during the regular season and performs with the Wheaton Municipal Band during the summer.
Larena Code, Former President
Jana Martin, Former President
Jana Martin, Former President