Academy Staff

James Setapen, Director of the Academy

James Setapen is Director of the Academy and Conductor-in-Residence at the Music Institute of Chicago. As director of the program, he is responsible for developing and implementing curriculum that best serves students, while meeting the goals and objectives of the institute, artistic advisors and artist faculty.  His broad background and interests include positions as music director, associate conductor, guest conductor, university professor, opera coach and conductor, mentor to young musicians and public speaker and writer. Since coming to Chicago he has worked with the Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts Orchestra, the Stevenson High School Orchestra, the Illinois State University Orchestra, Midwest Young Artists, Strings at Allerton and taught conducting at the World Association of Symphonic Band Ensembles national conference.

From 1988 to 2007 he was Music Director and Conductor of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. His very successful tenure included raising and sustaining the quality of performance, developing community interest and knowledge in the orchestra, and establishing innovative and accessible programs. Setapen has guest conducted many orchestras and opera companies throughout the country, including those of Denver, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Orlando and Honolulu. He has also conducted in several cities in Italy, Germany and Austria. He was Music Director of Summer Music Monterey, a program for middle school and high school music students, for seven summers. He has also worked with the youth orchestras of Oakland, Denver, and Amarillo. James Setapen received his Bachelor of Music with Distinction and a Performer’s Certificate in Clarinet from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music in Opera Direction from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Sue Polutnik, Vice President of Administration

Sue Polutnik is the Vice President of Administration for the Music Institute of Chicago where she provides leadership, analysis and coordination to institute-wide administrative operations for each pillar of the school.  She is responsible for overseeing Academy marketing and communications, recruitment and retention, staffing, initiatives designed to increase public awareness, peer collaborative partnerships, financial aid and scholarships, and works closely with Development staff to identify and cultivate potential funders. Sue is the first point of contact for outside agencies, parents, students and faculty as she coordinates and facilitates annual auditions, concerts, high profile cultivation events and performance opportunities for the Academy. She is also the Assistant to President/CEO Mark George.

Prior to joining MIC, Sue was a marketing director at several advertising and direct mail Chicago area agencies.  After her retirement from corporate America, she redirected her interests to the non-profit arts education community, including roles as Executive Director and President of two long-standing area youth organizations, the Jubilate and Barrington Children’s Choirs. Sue also spent a number of years as a freelance newspaper columnist. She received her Bachelor of Science from the College of Communications School of Journalism at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

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Ben Kulp, Academy Coordinator & Orchestra Manager

Ben Kulp is the Academy Coordinator & Orchestra Manager, and is an active cellist and teacher in the Chicago area.  Since moving to the area to perform with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Ben has continued to perform with many ensembles in the area and is founder and artistic director of the Logan Chamber Players.  

He is currently a member of the Miami Symphony Orchestra and is co-owner and music coordinator of The Innocenti Strings, LLC.