HALL OF FAME AWARDS  

The Rockford Public Schools Fine Arts Hall of Fame is a district-wide event that highlights 4-5 individuals or groups per year. This awards ceremony began in 2016 as a way to celebrate the past and current successes of the fine arts in District 205. Nominations are accepted from the community, and a panel of voters makes the final selections based on the information in the submissions. 

Class of 2023 

Bun E. Carlos 

Carlos grew up in Rockford, where he attended Lincoln Middle School and graduated from Guilford High School. He was the original drummer for the Rockford-founded rock band Cheap Trick, which formed in 1973 with guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson and lead vocalist Robin Zander. He remained with the band until 2010, and he has performed with Cheap Trick across the world. Carlos was inducted into the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Cheap Trick.

Martin McDaniel

McDaniel has dedicated his life to music education. He is a former Eisenhower Middle School band teacher where he taught for 33 years, educating thousands of young musicians in Rockford. In his retirement, McDaniel volunteers as an RPS 205 Band Grandpa. He is still mentoring and teaching RPS 205 students and sharing his lifelong love for music. 

Patrick Mattison 

Mattison is an Auburn High School Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) alumnus, artist and graphic designer. Mattison attended the University of Iowa to study graphic design, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career as an artist. His resume includes impressive clients, like The White House, PlayStation, and GoPro. 

Julia Schade

Schade is an Auburn High School CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) program alumna, accompanist, and a Broadway performer. Schade attended Rock Valley College, Northern Illinois University and graduated from Rockford University with a music degree. She has lived most of her life in Rockford and has worked as an accompanist in more than 50 shows in the region. Schade moved to Chicago and later New York to take her career in musical theatre to the next stage! She's the musical director for the Tony Award-winning musical, "Six," a British musical comedy about the six wives of King Henry, VIII.

CLASS of 2022 

ALONZO Russell, Auburn High School

ALONZO Russell graduated from Auburn High School’s Creative and Performing Arts program in 2009. He is a professional choreographer, dancer, singer, songwriter and performer. Russell is the founder of the Rockford-based hip-hop dance group Fatally Unique, which made it to the semifinals of the television competition show America’s Got Talent in 2011. The Creative and Performing Arts program graduate founded the group at age 15 and taught hip-hop classes at Rockford Dance Company.  As a vocalist, he performed as the lead singer in a symphonic Prince tribute show, “4U The Music of Prince,” a celebration of Prince’s music approved by Prince’s estate, in addition to performing background vocals. His first solo album debuted at No. 14 on the iTunes rock charts.

Dr. Eric A. Johnson, Guilford High School

Dr. Eric A. Johnson graduated from Guilford High School in 1983. He is the Director of Choral Activities at Northern Illinois University and the Founding Artistic Director of Cor Cantiamo, a professional 24-voice touring choral ensemble. As a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts Artworks grant recipient, he has been recognized for his artistic leadership, whose ensembles represent choral artistry at its finest. He is a champion of contemporary choral music and dedicated to addressing social justice issues through interdisciplinary concert events. Ensembles under his direction have performed at multiple national and division conventions for the National Collegiate Choral Organization, American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference. He has a long list of international guest conductor and tour credits, music collaborations and published works.

Michelle Williams, Auburn High School

Michelle Williams graduated from Auburn High School’s Creative and Performing Arts program in 1997. She is an author, mental health advocate and former member of R&B/pop group Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling female vocal groups of all time. With Destiny’s Child, she earned seven Grammy Award nominations and one win: The Destiny’s Child album “Survivor” won Best R&B Album in 2002. She is among the most notable Rockford natives and was recently featured in a mural on the corner of West State and Winnebago streets, part of CRE8IV, a community-building, arts-infused event. Williams has found success as a solo artist and has appeared in theatre and on Broadway, worked as a singer/songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, designer and television host. She is an advocate for mental health and is an ambassador for the Office on Women’s Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Marti Frantz, Guilford High School

Martha Hand Frantz graduated from Guilford High School in 1969. She co-founded the Rockford College Music Academy, now known as The Music Academy of Rockford, and has led the program for 34 years. The Academy’s mission is to inspire a life-long love of music and the arts. Thousands of students have learned to play and appreciate music at the Music Academy. There are families that are now starting their 3rd generation of students at the school. Frantz has been there to witness their growth, as both musicians and as individuals, from the beginning. 

CLASS OF 2021

Valerie Brandt-Soetermans is an accomplished performer. A Jefferson High School graduate, Brandt-Soetermans received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre and dance at Millikin University. She has performed in numerous music videos and concerts and has taught dance and choreography for nearly 20 years. 

E. Faye Butler is an accomplished and esteemed performer. An Auburn High School graduate, Butler received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting and theatre from Illinois State University and the Goodman School of Drama. She has performed in several Broadway national tours and has received numerous awards for her work. 

Jill Heinke Moen is an Auburn High School graduate who has a passion and talent for music and an extensive musical education. In addition to several teaching positions and private lessons, her membership of Areon Flutes in San Jose, and performances with blues-rock group The Shouting Matches, Jill also runs a rock band program for girls at Eau Claire Music School.  

Nathan Alan Davis is an Auburn High School graduate and gifted writer. His plays include “Nat Turner in Jerusalem,” “Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea,” and “The Wind and the Breeze.” He has won several awards for his accomplishments.

Beth Rydberg had a 33-year teaching career, with the last 18 teaching art at Bloom Elementary School. She is remembered for her passion and dedication to teaching and the arts, and for her ability to excite and inspire students. Rydberg was a member of the Golden Apple Foundation and was a 2003 recipient of the Golden Apple Award. 

Class of 2020