Our Story
​When we first met we were young wide-eyed music education graduate students at Northwestern University starting our program just weeks after the September 11th terrorist attacks. We met at a time when people in the US needed each other, and the school of music had a convocation to gather all new students together. This collective moment of community building connected us and established the bond that has led us to establish S & P Educational Design.
The last 25 years have seen dramatic shifts in education. The rise of digital technologies, changing school dynamics, and evolving understanding of learning styles all demand constant adaptation. Instead of resisting these changes, we have embraced them, developing hybrid teaching models that integrate traditional education with contemporary technological tools. Our consultancy emerges organically from this journey. It is a natural progression of our shared belief that education must be dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to individual and societal needs.
Our consultancy represents more than just a business venture. It is a testament to the power of partnership, continuous learning, and the transformative potential of education. We have learned that true educational impact comes not from rigid methodologies, but from genuine human connection, empathy, and a willingness to continually reinvent ourselves. Our story is not just about music – it's about how two passionate educators discovered that collaboration, vulnerability, and a shared vision can create something far more profound than either of us could have achieved alone.
Natalie Butler grew up in Miami, FL and studied voice, violin, and cello before deciding upon the clarinet as her primary instrument. Natalie received her Bachelors of Music Education from Florida State University and shortly thereafter moved to Chicago to begin her career as a music educator in the Chicago Public Schools system. She received a Masters of Music in Education from Northwestern University and later successfully completed the process to become a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Music.
Natalie spent over thirteen years teaching general music and conducting bands for students in grades pre-K-12 in the Chicago Public Schools while continuing to study clarinet privately and performing both clarinet and voice. In 2013 she began work at The People’s Music School, starting as a Program Director and progressing to Chief Program Officer. In this role she led all program planning, guiding music learning experience for over 800 students, curriculum development, assessment, and professional development for over 70 teaching artists and 15 staff.
Throughout her career Natalie has conducted, guest lectured, presented on national panels, appeared as an invited guest on the Jennifer Hudson Show, and published her research on the local, national, and international levels. In addition to her administrative role she continues to conduct wind and chamber ensembles and teach music theory to students in grades 4-12.
Natalie Butler
Natalie Butler grew up in Miami, FL and studied voice, violin, and cello before deciding upon the clarinet as her primary instrument. Natalie received her Bachelors of Music Education from Florida State University and shortly thereafter moved to Chicago to begin her career as a music educator in the Chicago Public Schools system. She received a Masters of Music in Education from Northwestern University and later successfully completed the process to become a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Music.
Natalie spent over thirteen years teaching general music and conducting bands for students in grades pre-K-12 in the Chicago Public Schools while continuing to study clarinet privately and performing both clarinet and voice. In 2013 she began work at The People’s Music School, starting as a Program Director and progressing to Chief Program Officer. In this role she led all program planning, guiding music learning experience for over 800 students, curriculum development, assessment, and professional development for over 70 teaching artists and 15 staff.
Throughout her career Natalie has conducted, guest lectured, presented on national panels, appeared as an invited guest on the Jennifer Hudson Show, and published her research on the local, national, and international levels. In addition to her administrative role she continues to conduct wind and chamber ensembles and teach music theory to students in grades 4-12.
Daniella Valdez
Daniella Valdez is a distinguished leader in musical and educational settings. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Tech University and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University School of Music, respectively. Daniella currently serves as the Director of String Ensembles with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. In this key leadership role, she oversees the artistic direction of CYSO’s Preparatory Strings and Accelerando Strings ensembles, actively guiding their development as their conductor. Daniella’s leadership impact is evident through her success in building strong and successful orchestra programs. In addition she is also Director of Orchestras at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, IL where she manages a comprehensive program directing three orchestra ensembles and teaching piano classes. In this role, she has developed culturally relevant curriculums and assessments as well as developing tools for student led projects and reflections.
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Daniella’s influence extends beyond her immediate teaching and conducting roles. She is an active clinician and adjudicator at the national level, she serves as a mentor providing guidance at community music schools, festivals, and workshops. Her commitment to advancing the field is shown through her publications in music education journals and her leadership involvement in several professional organizations. She is an active member of the Illinois Educators Association and serves on the national board for the American String Teachers Association. In 2024 she was also recognized as the Youth Orchestra Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras for her work with youth orchestras.
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Daniella champions inclusive and equitable values in the music community by taking an active leadership role in committees. Her work in this area received significant recognition, being recently featured on WGN-TV Chicago for Hispanic Heritage Month. Her dedication and distinguished service to CYSO were formally acknowledged when she received the CYSO Note of Excellence Award at the 2023 Gala: Women in Music.
