Jeremy Bartunek

**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.

Works:

Too Many Doctors (musical), co-written with Jeremy Blair, 2024
Detective James Marshall and the Circus Phantom (musical), co-written with Jeremy Blair. 2023 (2020)
Zoomsicle, The Musical, co-written with Jeremy Blair, 2021
Going to America (musical), co-written with Jeremy Blair, 2019
7 Rings, arranged for Percussion Ensemble, 2019
Like, Totally; An 80’s Musical, co-written with Jeremy Blair, 2017
Detective James Marshall and the Ashberg Diamond (musical), co-written with Jeremy Blair. 2016
Songs Don’t Need Words, an album of original compositions, 2013
The Long Awaited Christmas, solo piano Christmas arrangements, 2012