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2023 Kids From Wisconsin

Meet the talented performers who will be coming to a town near you this summer as we present our 55th Anniversary show!

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Trumpet

Eau Claire

Quinten is a graduate of North High School in Eau Claire and will attend UW-Eau Claire as a music education major. He humbly accepted a second year with the iconic Kids from Wisconsin in this years 55th anniversary tour. Quinten attained an honorable Eagle Scout award from the BSA in 2022. He is looking forward to drawing upon his leadership skills his past Kids from Wisconsin experience and lots of practice this past year to further attain his goals.
Hometown Sponsor: Riggle's Cookies

Quinten

Anger

Riggle's Cookies
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Voice - Soprano

Durand

Ellie is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy where she was a Musical Theatre Major. In Fall, she will attend Marymount Manhattan College where she will be pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Ellie enjoys teaching voice students, playing piano, reading, and is learning the ukulele and guitar. She has trained in NYC with Broadway Artists Alliance, in Chicago with Acting Studio Chicago, and continues voice lessons with the fabulous Doug Peck. Recently she has been seen as Catherine in Pippin at Interlochen Arts Academy (Sutton Foster Award), as well as Gertie Cummings in Oklahoma.
Hometown Sponsor: Komro Sales & Service Inc.

Ellie

Brenner

Komro Sales & Service Inc.
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Trumpet

Athens

Dylan Butler graduated from Wausau West High School and is entering his third year at the UW- Eau Claire, majoring in music education. Dylan has performed with many groups including Jazz I and is principal trumpet in Wind Symphony at UWEC. This is Dylan’s second summer being a part of the troupe.
Hometown Sponsor: Brickner Motors Inc. Marathon WI

Dylan

Butler

 Brickner Motors Inc., Marathon WI.
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Trumpet

Eau Claire

Ethan is excited to be a trumpet player in Kids from Wisconsin this summer. He is a freshman at UWEC and plays in Jazz I and Symphony Band. This is Ethan's first year and he is looking forward to performing all summer. He is hoping to make new friends and inspire younger musicians.
Hometown Sponsor: Riggle's Cookies

Ethan

Cecil

Riggle's Cookies
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Understudy- Voice- Baritone

North Prairie

Aidan Christensen just finished his sophomore year at Mukwonago High School. He is involved with his school’s concert choir and show choir, as well as extracurricular choirs Phantom Gold and Mukwonabros. He just finished making his directorial debut with his very own cabaret, The Nicest Kids in Town, at The Black Box Studio Theater. Some of Aidan’s favorite roles he’s played include Jack in Le Ménage Theatre’s jukebox musical Miss Matched and Mike Teavee in Mukwonago High School’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Aidan

Christensen

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Electric Bass

Madison

Alex Coller will be a senior at Monona Grove High School, where he participates in Pit Orchestra, Show Band, Solo & Ensemble, Badger Conference Honor Band, and Jazz Band. Alex has been playing upright bass and bass guitar for 7 ½ years, as well as drums. Alex plans to pursue music after high school. Alex would like to thank Carl Davick for always supporting him and motivating him to play with purpose.
Hometown Sponsor - Ward Brodt - Madison

Alex

Coller

Ward Brodt
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Voice - Bass

Schofield

Nathaniel Contreras is enthused to be part of 55th tour. He attended Northcentral Technical College, and will be transferring to UW-Milwaukee for the Musical Theater program in fall. His recent productions are Mamma Mia (Sky), and Cats (Rum Tum Tugger).
Hometown Sponsor: Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin

Nathaniel

Contreras

Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin
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Voice - Tenor

Waukesha

Tyler Curtain attends Viterbo University and was recently a teaching artist with the Kids from Wisconsin's "Realize Your Dream" program providing music education to underserved Milwaukee youth. He hopes that he can continue to share love and joy through music.
Hometown Sponsor: Mother & Daughter Child Nurturing Center

Tyler

Curtain

Mother and daughter Child Nurturing Center
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Woodwinds

Shawano

Nathan is studying clarinet, saxophone, and flute at UW-Stevens Point. He plays in the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and other chamber groups. Nathan's favorite styles to play include Dixieland, Funk, Broadway, and Contemporary Classical. Previously, Nathan has played in the St. Norbert’s Youth Orchestra and the University of Louisville’s Honors Jazz Band. Off stage Nathan enjoys cooking fun meals and helping students with music at his local high school.
Hometown Sponsor: CoVantage Credit Union AND Radtke Reuter Electric LLC

Nathan

Edwards

CoVantage Credit Union
Radtke Electric
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Keyboards

Elkhorn

Mitch Falcon completed his freshman year at the UW-Whitewater pursuing a degree in Music Education with a primary in Saxophone and a secondary in Piano. He would like to thank his mom and dad for their support throughout his entire life, and his two teachers Sarah Wuttke and Susan Hilker for their many years of instruction and support. 
Hometown Sponsor: Royal Basket Trucks, Inc.

Mitchell

Falcon

Royal Basket Trucks, Inc.
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Voice - Alto

Sherwood

Kaci Franzen just completed her sophomore year at Kaukauna High School. She has performed in over 20 theatrical productions, favorites including The Addams Family and Frozen Jr. (Elsa). Kaci has been aspires to pursue a career in musical theatre. Special thanks to her directors and teachers for initiating her love of theatre and encouraging her craft; no dream is unattainable if you want it and work for it.
Hometown Sponsor: Sherwood Lions Club

Kaci

Franzen

Sherwood Lions Club
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Voice - Soprano

Brookfield

Erin Fricker just completed her first year at Marquette University studying Journalism and Theatre Arts, where she was last seen as #25 in MU's production of The Wolves. Erin's favorite roles include Jesus in Divine Savior Holy Angel’s production of Godspell and her Jerry award winning role of Reno Sweeney in Marquette's Anything Goes. Erin is a proud alumna of the DSHA Angelaires. She received classical ballet training at Acts 17:28 Dance school and is now dancing with Dance Inc. at Marquette University.
Hometown Sponsor - Roberson Ryan & Associated, Inc. - Your Trusted Advisor

Erin

Fricker

Robertson Ryan & Associates, Inc
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Trombone

Hartland

Trevor Haglin just completed his second year at UW-Whitewater, where he studies music performance. He enjoys being a part of Jazz Ensemble 1 and the Warhawk Marching Band. He loves to improvise, as well as compose and arrange! He graduated from Arrowhead Union High School, where he received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and participated in the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Hometown Sponsor:
Thrivent - Mark Haglin

Trevor

Haglin

Thrivent - Mark Haglin
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Voice - Soprano

Madison

Rori just completed her sophomore year at UW-Madison, earning her BFA in Dance, and 2 Certificates in Athletic Healthcare, and Pilates. Rori continues dancing and singing through the University, and Capital City Theatre’s Find Your Light. She serves as a guest coach and choreographer for Madison-area high school dance teams and musical theatre groups. In Fall 2021, she was elected as representative of the UW Dance Department Student Organization to a four-year term.
Hometown Sponsor: Pepsi of Madison

Aurora

Hines

Pepsi of Madison
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Voice - Soprano

Mc Farland

Alexcia Johnson finished a second year as a Comprehensive Musical Theater Major while also pursuing a Dance Certificate at UW- Eau Claire. Recent show credits include #13 in The Wolves, Venus in Orpheus in The Underworld, and Mrs. Martin in The Bald Soprano (KCACTF Region III Irene Ryan Nominee). In high school, Alexcia received a Jerry Award (Annie - Annie) and Jerry Award Nomination (Donna Sheridan - Mamma Mia). Other projects at UWEC: Performer-Viennese Ball, Choreographer for student-produced Cabaret, Concert Manager / Choreographer for Audacious A Cappella, and working on a Dance Film as a Featured Dancer.
Hometown Sponsor: Jazz Unlimited - It's All About Jazz

Alexcia

Johnson

Jazz Unlimited
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Voice - Alto

Schofield

Reagan Kettner will be a junior at Viterbo University earning her BFA in Musical Theater and double minoring in dance and psychology. She is a two-time Jerry Award recipient for Outstanding Lead Performer and won Best Supporting Actress in the Woods Awards. She would like to thank her parents, her sister Sophia, her friends, the many teachers who have encouraged and supported her.
Hometown Sponsor: Brokaw Credit Union

Reagan

Kettner

Brokaw Credit Union
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Voice - Tenor

New London

Kayden Kloehn is a graduate of New London High School, and will start his college education majoring in musical theater. Kayden won Best Supporting Actor award from the Centerstage Awards at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for a recent role. He participated in competitive show choir for 7 years with a recent award of Best Soloist in Vocal Motion. He has also been a part of the award-winning Madrigal Troupe for 3 years. Additionally, he’s attended numerous camps for the performing arts, including camps with Broadway casts.

Kayden

Kloehn

Fox Communities Credit Union
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Understudy - Voice - Alto

Wind Lake

Issy is so excited to be joining the Kids From Wisconsin for her second year. She just finished her junior year at Muskego High School. Issy loves performing and has recently been seen as Matilda (MATILDA) at Waukesha Civic Theater and Race (NEWSIES) at Muskego High School. Issy is a member of her schools highest level choir, as well as two A cappella groups, Chamber Choir and The Latte Ladies. She is also the president of Tri-M Music Honor Society. Issy is feeling so blessed to have this opportunity to perform and to connect with the community at Kids From Wisconsin.

Issy

Lambert

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La Crosse

Zackary Lichner will be a sophomore at Viterbo University’s Conservatory for the Performing Arts pursuing a BFA in Music Theatre. His most recent productions include Viterbo’s Pirates of Penzance (Ensemble/understudy) and student theatre project’s production of Heathers (Ram Sweeney). Hometown Sponsor: CDW Corporation

Zackary

Lichner

CDW Corporation
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Percussion

West Allis

Scott started drumming at the age of 12 years old with School of Rock and, now 17, he is pursuing a career in music through his studies at UW- Madison in order to earn a Jazz degree. While at Ronald Reagan High School in Milwaukee he was captain of the school's competition drumline, a member of the pepband, and a Drummer for the upperclassmen Jazz Combo and Big Band. He'd like to formally thank his private instructor Devin Drobka, and drumming gurus Nick Lang and Paul Wesfahl.
Hometown Sponsor: Northshore's Finest Auto Detailing

Scott

Lonzaga

Northshore's Finest Auto Detailing
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Voice - Bass

Hartford

Connor Martin is majoring in musical theatre at Viterbo University. Past favorite credits include Lees-McRae Summer Theatre in North Carolina (OLIVER, Oliver Twist), The Fireside Theatre (THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Ensemble; MARY POPPINS, Michael Banks; PETER PAN, John Darling), The Palace Theater in the Dells (MARY POPPINS, Michael Banks), Capital City Theatre (GYPSY, Newsboy), and Hartford Union High School (SHREK, Lord Farquaad) in which he won a Jerry Award, Outstanding Lead Performance.
Hometown Sponsors: Scoop De Ville, Hartford Dental Group, Staffing Support Specialists, Dream Center, Greywolf Foundation and Richfield Lions

Connor

Martin

Hartford Dental Group
Scoop DeVille
Staffing Support Specialists
Greywolf Foundation
Richfield Lions Club
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Understudy - Trumpet

New Richmond

Josh Mealey is a 2023 graduate of New Richmond High School. He studied music under the direction of his parents, Matt and Jodi Mealey (Band and Choir Director, respectively)who, interestingly, met as performers in KIDS. Josh sang bass with the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Show Choir, and performed on stage in the new musical, Ranked (John) and the comedic plays, Puffs (Wayne) and The Con (Batguy). He played trumpet in the Seussical pit band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and lead trumpet in the Jazz Band. He also played with several honors bands, as well as the WSMA State Honors Jazz Band this past year. He plans on attending Northwood Technical College in Fall to study automated packaging and robotics.

Joshua

Mealey

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Keyboards

Hartford

Samuel Michalak will be a sophomore at the UW-Milwaukee in the Peck School of the Arts studying piano performance and choral education. When he’s not in a practice room, he plays piano at St. Roberts on Capital Dr. and at St. Mary of the Hill in Hubertus. All of this is to make his dream of being the next Billy Joel come true.
Hometown Sponsor: Scoop De Ville and
John and Nancy Lee of Hartford

Samuel

Michalak

Scoop DeVille
Brewed Omen Tasting Room
John & Nancy Lee of Hartford
Richfield Lions
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Woodwinds

Eau Claire

Joshua Mithuen has studied saxophone under the tutelage of Anna Deutsch, Rob Mondlock, Scott Hensiak, Dr. Alastair Wright, and Dr. Jonathan Nichol.  He has played with professional ensembles such as the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, competes on the national level as the baritone chair of the Onda Sonora Saxophone Quartet, and recently was awarded first place in the reeds division of the Ladies Music Club of Oklahoma City Music Scholarship Competition.  Joshua currently studies saxophone under Professor Alexis Seah at the University of Oklahoma, and he plans to pursue saxophone performance and music theory for his graduate studies. 
Hometown Sponsor: Cabin Coffee - Just Be Happy...Have Fun

Joshua

Mithuen

Cabin Coffee
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Voice - Alto

Stevens Point

Shannon O'Donnell has just completed her freshman year at Berklee College of Music and is pursuing a degree in contemporary vocal performance and music production. You may know Shannon from her experience in Central Wisconsin area musical theatre; including Jerry Ensemble, CWETA, and Playhouse Theatre Group. In Boston, Shannon is a member and board member of an award winning acapella group called Upper Structure.
Hometown Sponsor: Playhouse Theatre Group - Every child deserves a standing ovation!

Shannon

O'Donnell

Playhouse Theatre Group
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Understudy - Voice - Soprano

Hartland

Nora Perugini will be attending UW-Stevens Point aspiring to join their BFA Musical Theatre program. Her most recent roles include: Arrowhead High School's Broadway Company’s Shrek The Musical (Princess Fiona), Catch Me If You Can (Ensemble), Mamma Mia (Ensemble/Sophie Understudy), as well as Arrowhead High School’s Drama Club’s Les Miserables (Eponine) in which she won a Jerry Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.

Nora

Perugini

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Percussion

Ringle

Devon Powers will enter UW-Whitewater in Fall. He loves all kinds of music—from jazz to funk to 80s rock—and performed with the D.C. Everest High School Band. Notable performances were “Outstanding Band” at the Shawano Jazz Festival and participating in the Northwoods Marching Band for the Tournament of Roses Parade, where they set a record as the second largest marching band in history.
Devon's drumming journey began with lessons at the Conservatory of Music in Wausau. Currently, Devon studies under Ben Hans of the Nashville Music Academy.
Hometown Sponsor: Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin

Devon

Powers

Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin
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Guitar

Ringle

Sean Powers finished his freshman year at UW-Whitewater, where he majors in music with an applied study in instrumental education. Aside from his studies, Sean can be seen playing in two different Jazz groups, being an accompanist for various choir performances, and playing in a local band with his father.
Hometown Sponsor: Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin

Sean

Powers

Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin
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Trumpet

River Falls

Ava Redmond graduated from River Falls High School and is currently attending UW-Eau Claire for music education. She is also part of the trumpet studio at Eau Claire. Ava is currently in symphony band, orchestra, jazz band, and the Blugold Marching Band. She would like to thank her family, friends, and all of the music professionals who have supported her, including Matt Mealey, a KIDS alum.
Hometown Sponsor: River Falls Community Arts Base

Ava

Redmond

River Falls Community Arts Base (CAB)
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Voice - Tenor

Wausau

Zaden Scheer will be a sophomore at UW-Stevens Point, where he is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. In high school, Zaden was an active member of the Mosinee High School Concert Choir, Varsity Dance Team and the Central Wisconsin Jerry Ensemble. Zaden’s favorite roles include: “Munkustrap” (CATS, Central Wisconsin Educational Theatre Alliance), “Joseph” (Joseph… Dreamcoat, Mosinee High School), “Jack” (Into the Woods, Out of the Woods Theatre), and “Laurie” (Little Women, Out of the Woods Theatre).
Hometown Sponsor: Hermening Financial Group

Zaden

Scheer


Hermening Financial Group
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Trombone

Monona

James Shaffer will be starting at UW-Steven’s Point with a major in music education and a minor in jazz studies this fall. During his high school career James has been involved with multiple music clubs including jazz band, show band, Pitt orchestra, acapella choir, show band, and pep band. This year he served as the president of show band. Over the course of high school James has become fluid with 10 instruments. James primary instrument is the trombone.
Hometown Sponsor: Epic Painting & Exteriors

James

Shaffer

Epic Painting & Exteriors
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Voice - Alto

Waterford

Morgan Strimple will enter the UW-Stevens Point's Theatre and Dance program pursuing a degree in Dance and Early Childhood Education.  She attended Interlochen Arts Academy, earning a scholarship through the Wisconsin Dance Council. Morgan spent 2 summers at the Missoula Children's Theatre in Montana for Musical Theatre.  Her dance training included Toe to Toe Ballet -Elkhorn, and Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. She studied voice privately with Abby Galstad and Lori Nahirniak. Morgan was a member in both the WUHS theatre, choral departments and many community theatre productions. Most recent roles were Morticia (The Addams Family, Jerry Award Nomination)  Zeeneta (The Music Man) , Shimmer-Shine/Choreographer (The Rainbow Fish), Prentis (Peter and the Starcatcher) and Select Dancer/US Louise (Carousel).
Hometown Sponsor - Fox & Fork

Morgan

Strimple

Fox & Fork
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Voice - Tenor

La Crosse

Zachary Sullivan will be a junior at Viterbo University where he is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Zach is a previous Spotlight Education Triple Threat Finalist and participated in the 2021 Jimmy Awards. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unconditional support, and would like to give a special and heartfelt thanks to his parents Christine and John, and Jenny.
Hometown Sponsor: Stages Theatre Co.

Zachary

Sullivan

Stages Theatre Company
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Voice - Soprano

La Crosse

Makayla Taylor recently finished her first year at Viterbo University pursuing her BFA in Music Theatre where she was seen as a Maiden and Mabel u/s in Pirates of Penzance. Last summer she toured with ETC Productions’ Seussical (Swing). Past favorite credits include Puffs (Sally Perks), Hairspray (Doreen), and Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble). Makayla served as an Apprentice with the Minnesota Opera Company, participated in Project Opera, and is a Teen Teaching Assistant at Lyric Arts Theatre.
Hometown Sponsor: Ink Wizards, Elk River, MN and Viterbo University Fine Arts Center

Makayla

Taylor

Ink Wizards
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Understudy - Percussion

Rice Lake

Nolan Tomesh will be a senior at Rice Lake High School. He is involved in music at his school and in his community. He performs in every type of group from punk rock bands to bell choirs in church. He is also active in athletics and theater at RLHS.

Nolan

Tomesh

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Voice - Bass

Forestville

Brady Tooley recently finished his second year at Columbia College Chicago and plans major in Musical Theater with a minor in Stage Combat.
Hometown Sponsor: New Radio, Inc. (96.7 WBDK)

Brady

Tooley

NEW Radio Inc. 96.7 WBDK
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Voice - Tenor

Wausau

Nolan Travis finished his sophomore year at Wausau West High School. Recently he has been seen on stage as Nick Bottom in Wausau Wests production of “Something Rotten”, also Dmitri in “Anastasia” at Wausau West which he won a Jerry Award for his performance. He would like to thank his parents, his two sisters, his voice teacher Dr. Bill Day and his choir teacher Mr. Kevin Ruhl.
Hometown Sponsor: ENT & Allergy Associates

Nolan

Travis

ENT & Allergy Associates
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Voice - Bass

New Berlin

Ryan recently graduated from Kettle Moraine School for Arts & Performance with a music focus and vocal concentration. Ryan has been active in the performing arts community for many years. Some favorite roles include Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man (KM Perform), Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical (Waukesha Civic Theatre), and Scut Farkus in A Christmas Story the Musical (Fireside Dinner Theatre). Ryan has participated in numerous school and community choirs and is a 6-year Main Street Song & Dance Troupe alumnus. This Fall, he will attend Chapman University in Orange, California, with a double major in Music and Computer Science.
Hometown Sponsor: Kettle Moraine School for Arts & Performance

Ryan

Vanselow

 Kettle Moraine School for Arts & Performance
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Voice - Alto

Mc Farland

Nora Wroblewski will be a senior at McFarland High School where they are active in theatre, music, student council and Girl Scouts. Nora studies dance in the Madison area, including UW-Madison, Madison Contemporary Dance and Barrio Dance; they competed with A Step Beyond Dance Company for eight years. In addition to singing in the a cappella groups Blue Notes and Pitch Please, Nora choreographs for them as well as Kittens Mittens. In the theater space, they're an active member of Performing Arts Center tech crew; recent productions include Cinderella (Dance Captain/Ensemble) and Clue (Professor Plum) at the high school and The Little Mermaid Jr (Choreographer/Stage Manager) for the middle school. Nora also plays percussion and bass guitar in band.
Hometown Sponsor: Madison Partners

Nora

Wroblewski

Madison Partners - Trusted Wealth Advisors
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Voice - Bass

Wisconsin Rapids

Lou Xiong will be attending Viterbo University as a sophomore to pursue his BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Minor. Lou has recently been seen in UW-Stevens Point's opera production of Dial M for Moore Menotti as the Station Manager/Dancer. He also programmed two original, pop-rock compositions for UWSP's Composer's Concert. Lou would like to thank his mom, grandma, and family for their never-ending support and love, as well as the UWSP choral/vocal faculty, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Hometown Sponsor - Wisconsin Rapids School of Performing Arts

Lou

Xiong

Wisconsin Rapids School of Performing Arts
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Voice - Alto

New Richmond

Emily Zeller recently graduated from New Richmond High School where she performed with the Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Show Choir, numerous Honors Choirs, and even played bass in the Jazz Band. Emily loves performing - whether through cheerleading or musicals. She was nominated for a Jerry Award for "Outstanding Lead Performance" as Lily in the new musical, Ranked. This Fall, she plans to attend Viterbo University to major in Music Education. With this being her first summer in the KIDS, she would like to thank her high school choir teacher, and former KIDS Alum, Jodi Mealey (Bodenberger), for inspiring her to audition for this amazing show.

Hometown Sponsors: St. Croix Automotive AND West Wind Supper Club - A River Falls Supper Club Tradition for over 40 Years.

Emily

Zeller

The West Wind Supper Club
St. Croix Automotice
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