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!
Voice - Alto
Sussex
Jillian just finished her senior year at Hamilton High School, where she was an active member of the school's a capella and Concert choirs. She was also a part of Hamilton's Synergy show choir, serving as dance captain for the past two years. Jillian loves performing onstage and some of her favorite past roles include Katherine in Freaky Friday the Musical (for which she received Outstanding Lead Performer and Spirit Jerry Awards) and Catherine in Pippin (for which she received an Outstanding Lead Performer Jerry Award). She is so excited to be performing with KIDS this summer.
Jillian
Arthur
Understudy - Voice - Alto
Muskego
Lauren is incredibly grateful to be working with the 2024 Troupe of Kids From Wisconsin this summer! Lauren was accepted into the 2024 WSMA State Honors choir this year, competed at State Solo & Ensemble for both Classical and Musical Theater, and earned 2nd place the past 2 years in Musical Theater categories for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Some favorite roles include Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof); Specs (Newsies); and Gretchen (Mean Girls).
Lauren
Bishop
Voice - Bass
Oregon
Ian just finished his second year at UW-Whitewater, pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance. Most recent show credits include Pirate/Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance (KLACTF Irene Ryan Nominee) and Beast in Beauty & the Beast. In high school, Ian received two Jerry Award nominations (Big Jule-Guys & Dolls and Gomez Addams-The Addams Family).
Ian
Black
Understudy - Voice - Alto
New Richmond
Amelia Blasing recently graduated from New Richmond High School. She plans to continue her education this fall at Viterbo University to pursue a BFA in music theatre. Amelia has been an active performer for over ten years, participating in plays and musicals across her hometown and the Twin Cities area. Some of her most recent roles include: Velma Kelly (Chicago:Teen Edition, Jerry Award nomination), Morticia Addams (The Addams Family) and Sydney Summers (Ranked, Jerry Award nomination). Amelia would like to thank her choir teacher and KIDS alum Jodi Mealey for supporting her through her musical endeavors.
Amelia
Blasing
Voice - Soprano
Durand
Ellie is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy's Theatre Program and will be going into her sophomore year as a musical theatre major at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. Ellie enjoys teaching her voice students, playing piano and family time. She has trained with Broadway Artists' Alliance in NYC and Acting Studio Chicago in Chicago. She's won many awards such as the National Young Arts Award, the national Hal Leonard Competition, a Sutton Foster Award Nomination and more. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Ellie
Brenner
Voice - Tenor
Schofield
Shiloh Burgess just finished his junior year at DC Everest Senior High School. Some of his recent performances include Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, as well as, Frank Jr. in Catch Me If You Can for which he earned a Jerry Award. Shiloh is extremely thankful to his parents, as well as, Wendy Vesper and Marshall De Lonay for all the opportunities and help they provided through his musical journey.
Shiloh
Burgess
Voice - Soprano
New Berlin
SJ is going into her senior year at New Berlin Eisenhower High School and could not be more excited to be in Kids From Wisconsin this summer! Most recently she played Regina George in Mean Girls at Eisenhower, and would like to thank her two theater directors, Ms. Kirby and Mrs. Baertschy for supporting her through thick and thin. SJ is looking to pursue musical theater in college. She also wants to shout out her dog, Cece.
SJ
Carroll
Understudy - Woodwinds
McFarland
Brennan is 15 and will be a sophomore at McFarland High School. He has been playing music or around live music for as long as he can remember. He started to teach himself piano in 4th grade, started learning violin in 5th grade orchestra and began playing alto sax in band in 6th grade. He challenged himself by switching from alto sax to clarinet in 8th grade and started experimenting with tenor sax that same year. He enjoys a variety of musical genres and has participated in jazz bands since 7th grade. This year he started playing baritone sax in two jazz bands. The past few years, Brennan has enjoyed several opportunities to play live music with his father's local band Moonhouse.
Brennan
Cash
Electric Bass
Madison
Alex Coller will be a graduate of Monona Grove High School, where he participated 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.
Alex
Coller
Keyboards
Eau Claire
Tim Davis is a jazz pianist and composer from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, excited to perform with KIDS this summer! When Tim isn't putting on a show or writing his next tune, you can find him studying at UW-Eau Claire or spending time with his eight million dogs. Tim majors in Music Composition but always makes time to make some beautiful music with friends and can't wait to spend his summer doing so!
Tim
Davis
Voice - Alto
Sherwood
Kaci is honored and elated for her second summer as a Kid From Wisconsin! She is from Sherwood, Wisconsin, and recently completed her junior year at Kaukauna High School where she appeared as Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act. Kaci is also a member of the Fox Cities PAC Encore Singers and dances at Revel Dance Academy. Kaci is incredibly grateful for the support of her family, friends, teachers, and directors that encourages her to pursue her passion for music and theatre. She hopes you are just as excited as she is for the Larger than Life Tour!
Kaci
Franzen
Understudy -Voice - Bass
Waukesha
Leo recently graduated from the Kettle Moraine School for Arts & Performance as a music focus with a vocal concentration. Leo has been active in the performing arts for as long as he can remember. Some favorite roles include: Ugly in Honk! (KM Perform) and Wadsworth in Clue (KM Stage), along with helping with marketing and backstage of many performances. He has been a part of many community and school choirs and is a 10 season Main Street Song & Dance Troupe alumni. This fall, he will attend college with a double major in accounting and musical theater.
Leo
Fredette
Voice - Soprano
Brookfield
Erin Fricker is honored to join the 56th tour of KIDS for her third summer!! She just completed her sophomore year at Marquette University pursuing degrees in Digital Media and Theatre Arts and recently returned from studying abroad in Canterbury, England at the University of Kent. She was last seen as Maryjo Kincaid in Marquette’s production of A Piece of My Heart and loves performing! Her favorite credits include her Jerry Award-winning role as Reno Sweeney in Marquette High’s Anything Goes and Jesus in Divine Savior Holy Angels’ production of Godspell. Erin received classical ballet training with Acts 17:28 Dance school and now dances with Marquette’s Dance Inc. She is thrilled to be back on tour and represent her hometown of Brookfield!
Erin
Fricker
Voice - Tenor
Oconomowoc
Theo Gall is thrilled to be in his first season! He has just finished his junior year at Oconomowoc High School. He has been involved in musical theater since the age of 9 and has done many shows with Main Street Song & Dance Troupe. His favorite show he's been in is "Little Women: The Musical" where he played Laurie. In his free time, Theo does digital design and watches all things musical on You Tube. He would like to thank Taras Nahirniak for giving him this opportunity and his parents for supporting him. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Theo
Gall
Percussion
Tomah
Daniel Gordon will be a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota. He plays in the Gustavus Jazz Ensemble and the Gustavus Wind Orchestra. While studying music at Tomah High School, Daniel played in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Show Band, Pit Band, Pep Band and also performed with the WSMA State Honors Band. When he's not playing drums, Daniel Enjoys powerlifting and competed twice at the USA Powerlifting National meet. This is his first year with Kids From Wisconsin, and he's excited to play with some of the best musicians in the state.
Daniel
Gordon
Understudy - Voice - Soprano
Green Bay
Evelyn is ecstatic to be an understudy for the Larger Than Life Tour! She just finished her sophomore year at Bayport High School where she is heavily involved in the arts! Evelyn has been in 21 theatrical productions with recent credits including The Wizard Of Oz (Wicked Witch in 2023 AND 2024), Newsies (Henry) and Frozen Jr. (Olaf). Evelyn is in her high school's auditioned Concert Choir and in Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Michael Pufall. Outside of theater, Evelyn enjoys spending time with her friends and family, babysitting, and going Up North. Evelyn has been trained in dance styles such as Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater and Lyrical for over 10 years. Evelyn wants to thank God for this amazing opportunity and hopes that you enjoy the show!
Evelyn
Hanson
Understudy - Keyboards
Milwaukee
Lindsey Hladio is very excited to spend her first summer with Kids From Wisconsin! Next year she plans to attend Northeastern University with a political science/international affairs major. You may have seen Lindsey performing on the Disney Florida stage playing the piano or as Ben from the musical Descendants at the DSHA Community Theatre Works stage. Big thanks to her mother Jayne HLadio and her music teachers Mr. Ziegler and Mr. Eagon.
Lindsey
Hladio
Voice - Tenor
McFarland
Brock Johnson will be a Junior at McFarland High School and is excited to follow in his sister's footsteps. Brock is ecstatic to perform in his first season as a Kid From Wisconsin. He also enjoys playing trumpet in McFarland's Early Bird Jazz band. He would like to thank his family for their constant support.
Brock
Johnson
Saxophone
Delafield
Ryan Keller will be a senior this fall at the Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance. He plays in Jazz 1, Wind Symphony and Pit Orchestra among other ensembles. He really enjoys improvising with and arranging for the student run jazz combo he's a part of. One of his favorite things that he's done is being asked to play tenor saxophone in MYSO Senior Symphony's performance of An American in Paris at the beautiful Warner Theater in downtown Milwaukee. Outside of school, he loves running with the track and cross country teams! He looks forward to his first season touring with KIDS. He feels this will be an invaluable and incredible experience for him as they travel around the beautiful state of Wisconsin.
Ryan
Keller
Voice - Tenor
New London
Kayden Kloehn (he/him) couldn’t be more excited to be back for his 3rd tour! He just finished up his freshmen year at Viterbo University pursing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Most recently he made his collegiate debut as Rick Taylor in Viterbo University’s Bat Boy the Musical, as well as played Borachio in STP’s Much Ado About Nothing. He’s been performing since elementary, winning a Best Supporting Actor from the Centerstage Awards at the Fox Cities PAC. He loves seeing shows in his free time & is always excited to see where life takes him next! Much love & thanks to family and friends! To the moon & back! @kayden.klo
Kayden
Kloehn
Understudy - Trumpet
Sparta
Patrick will be a sophomore at Sparta High School. This is his first year with KIDS as an understudy. Patrick is hopeful that he can build his skills as a musician this summer with KIDS. He hopes everyone has a blast in this 56th season!
Patrick
Larson
Voice - Bass
Sparta
Isaac is so excited to be part of Kids From Wisconsin this summer! He is a freshman at Nebraska Wesleyan University and is majoring in Musical Theatre. Credits include: Rock of Ages, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, Addams Family the Musical and Shrek the Musical. He was also involved in Sparta's Upstage Adrenaline varsity show choir for 4 years. He would like to thank his family and community for their support.
Isaac
Larson
Woodwinds
Muskego
Elden is a graduating senior from Muskego High School. This is his first year as a Kid. He has been playing saxophone for seven years and clarinet for three. He is a music education major at Lawrence University. He has been a part of many Jazz bands, including UJay for one year. Along with the jazz bands, Elden has played in many musicals.
Elden
Lemke
Voice - Bass
La Crosse
Zack is thrilled to be joining Kids From Wisconsin for his second summer as a principal singer/dancer. He attends Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin and is pursuing his BFA in Music Theatre. He was recently involved in Viterbo's production of Bat Boy as Sheriff Reynolds and Don John in Much Ado About Nothing! Zack would like to thank his family, friends and professors for all their support and hopes you enjoy the show!
Zack
Lichner
Keyboards
Brookfield
Ryan Logan recently graduated from Brookfield Central High School and he will start his college education in the fall pursuing a double major in music and computer science. Ryan played piano for the Brookfield Central Jazz Band as well as a student-led jazz combo. He also played keyboard for the pit orchestra for shows including Music Man, Matilda and Mary Poppins. He is excited to join Kids From Wisconsin for his first year. He would like to thank his parents for their support, as well as his band director Callie Barbeau and private lesson teacher Aeron Ogden for preparing him for this opportunity.
Ryan
Logan
Voice - Bass
Hartford
Connor Martin is so excited to be spending his sixth summer with the KIDS organization. He is currently majoring in music theatre with minors in Dance and Arts Administration at Viterbo University. Past favorite credits include Viterbo University (Godspell, Judas; Pirates of Penzance, Sergeant of Police; 42 Street, Ensemble), The Fireside Theatre (Sound of Music, Ensemble, understudy for Rolf; 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. Connor would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support! connorjosephm.com
Connor
Martin
Trumpet
New Richmond
Josh is a 2023 graduate of New Richmond High School, where he studied music under the direction of his parents, Matt and Jodi Mealey (Band and Choir Director, respectively) who met as performers in KIDS. Josh sang bass with the NRHS 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 played lead trumpet in the Jazz Band. He also played with several honors bands, including the WSMA State Honors Jazz Band. Josh is finishing up his first year of schooling at Northwood Technical College where he studies automated packaging and robotics. He is excited to attend KIDS camp with his Dad (KFW Band Coach), tour with his brother Kyle on trumpet, and be a part of this incredible organization.
Josh
Mealey
Trumpet
New Richmond
Kyle Mealey is a 2024 graduate of New Richmond High School where he played trumpet in Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, & Jazz Band, as well as sang bass in Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Kyle played lead trumpet in Chicago: Teen Edition and Seussical the Musical at NRHS, and has been a part of numerous Honors Ensembles, including WSMA State Honors Choir, and 2 years in the State Honors Jazz Band. Following in his parent's footsteps, (NRHS Band & Choir Directors, and former KFW performers) Kyle plans to study music education at UW-Eau Claire. He is excited to tour with his brother, Josh on trumpet, and to share the camp experience with his Dad (KFW Band Coach). He hopes you enjoy the show!
Kyle
Mealey
Understudy- Voice- Soprano
Cottage Grove
Leah is thrilled to be spending her first summer as an understudy! Leah is from Cottage Grove and went to Monona Grove High School. She now studies Developmental Psychology and Theatre Arts at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. On campus, Leah is part of The Enchantments a cappella and the Dance Collective. When not on stage, Leah loves working with children and playing with her dog Spock.
Leah
Meyer
Voice - Soprano
Burlington
This is AJ Murphy's first year with the Kids From Wisconsin! She is so grateful and excited to have the opportunity to be a singer/dancer. Currently, she is a music theater major at Viterbo University and was ensemble and Shelley understudy in the Conservatory's production of Bat Boy. She participated in her high school's annual musical as well as state solo ensemble for two years. Her senior year, she won an exemplary performance award.
AJ
Murphy
Voice - Soprano
Menomonee Falls
Izzy has just completed her senior year at Menomonee Falls High School. She has been in many productions including the PROM at Greendale Community Theatre and in her high school's production of Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey. She has also been part of the show choir troupe Accompany of Kids for eight years and has danced on her high school dance team for four years. She hopes to continue to showcase her love for performing in KIDS and is excited to be part of the 56th tour!
Izabel
Nettey
Trumpet
River Falls
Ava Redmond is honored to be a trumpet player in the 2024 KIDS program. Ava graduated from River Falls High School and attends UW-Eau Claire for music education. She would like to thank her family, friends, and all the music professionals who have supported her, including Matt Mealey, a KIDS alum. Ava is super excited for her second summer with KIDS and she hopes you enjoy the show!
Ava
Redmond
Trombone
Tomah
Aiden Santiago is a recent graduate of Tomah High School and is very excited to perform this year as part of the KFW band. He will be going to school in the fall at UW-Stevens Point for a major in psychology and a minor in music. He has had the opportunity to perform in the musicals Into the Woods and Mamma Mia! Aiden has been playing the trombone for almost eight years now and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. Aiden wants to thank his friends, family and everyone that has supported him along his musical journey.
Aiden
Santiago
Trumpet
Eau Claire
Hayden is a current sophomore, enrolled at UW-Eau Claire, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Music. He is involved in several groups including Orchestra, Jazz and Brass Quintet at UWEC. He is excited to advance his musical endeavors on the Kids From Wisconsin tour this summer!
Hayden
Smith
Voice - Alto
Waterford
Morgan is ecstatic for her 2nd year as a singer/dancer for KIDS. Last summer she enjoyed being one of the Outreach Leaders for the Realize Your Dream Workshops. She will be a sophomore at UW-Stevens Point as a double major in Dance and Early Childhood Education. Morgan has trained at Interlochen Arts Academy, Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy and Toe-to-Toe Ballet Elkhorn. She studied voice under Abby Galstad and Lori Nahirniak. Morgan was a dedicated member of Waterford Union High School's theatre department, earning a Jerry Award nomination for her role as Morticia in the Addam's Family.
Morgan
Strimple
Voice - Soprano
La Crosse
Makayla is thrilled to be spending her second summer as a KID From Wisconsin! She is a current sophomore music theatre major with minor in dance! Her favorite conservatory credit include She Kills Monsters, Lilith; Pirates of Penzance, Maiden/Mabel U/S; Frog and Toad, Lady Bird/Turtle. She is also an alumni of Minnesota Opera's Apprenticeship program! Kayla would like to thank her family and professors for all their support and hopes you enjoy the show!
Makayla
Taylor
Voice - Tenor
Appleton
Josh Thone is honored to be in this year's Kids From Wisconsin "Larger than Life" tour! Josh has been seen on stage in his hometown of Appleton, WI, on Broadway in the 2022 Jimmy Awards, and in Milwaukee, WI where he attends Peck School of the Arts at UW-Milwaukee. He would love to thank his family, best friends and most importantly, God, for the endless amounts of support.
Josh
Thone
Voice - Tenor
Luxemburg
Joey is a graduate of Luxemburg-Casco High School and is approaching their second year as a BFA Musical Theatre Major and BA Dance minor at UW-Stevens Point. Joey is ecstatic to be able to be a part of the Kids From Wisconsin's 56th tour troupe and they are looking forward to bringing their artistry all over Wisconsin with other talented performers. Joey's favorite past projects include: "Jimmy" (Game of Life, UWSP Fringe), Featured Singer and Dancer at the Center Stage Musical Theatre Awards, and "Harry Bright" (Mamma Mia!, LCHS Theatre) which they received a Best Actor nomination for at the Center Stage High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Joey
Thuecks
Percussion
Rice Lake
Nolan Tomesh enjoys playing music no matter the context. He has played with big bands, jazz combos, rock groups, and even sings with choirs on the side. He also enjoys acting, running and camping. He has just graduated from Rice Lake High School, and will be attending UW-Madison to study jazz drumset in the fall.
Nolan
Tomesh
Understudy - Voice - Bass
Green Bay
Aiden will be a sophomore at Preble High School. He is excited for his first year with KIDS as an understudy. Aiden is looking forward to developing his singing and dancing skills. He would like to thank his music teachers, friends, and his family for their support.
Aiden
VanDenPlas
Trombone
Madison
James has been a Kid From Wisconsin for two years now, and the 55th anniversary show was one of the most memorable experiences for him. As he returns to a different role, James is very excited to show the new skills he’s learned in his first year in college. James proudly attends UWSP for Bass trombone and tuba performance. He can’t wait for the season to begin and make even more memories!
James
Vaughn Shaffer
Voice - Alto
Madison
Nora recently graduated from McFarland High School and will be attending Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in the fall, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre Dance. Nora’s favorite genre of music to perform is jazz, both vocally and on bass guitar; throughout high school, she sang and played in multiple a capella and jazz ensembles. Nora also performed, directed, stage managed, and choreographed many shows at McFarland. Recent credits include Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest, Choreographer and Stage Manager for Seussical Jr, and Serena in Legally Blonde.
Nora
Wroblewski
Voice - Bass
Wisconsin Rapids
Lou is beyond excited to spend his third and final summer with the KIDS organization! He is currently studying for his (B.F.A.) in Music Theatre alongside minors in Dance and Music at Viterbo University. Some of his recent credits include Viterbo University [Godspell] Jesus Entourage, Judas U/S, & Telly U/S, UW-Stevens Point [Dial M for Moore Menotti] Station Manager, Choreographer, Dancer, and Lincoln High School [Cinderella] Prince Christopher, [Dear Edwina Jr.] Scott Kunkle. He also performed in UWSP’s Composer’s Concert where he wrote and performed two original singer-songwriter genre styled pieces. In his free time he enjoys writing music, playing video games, and traveling. Lou would like to extend his thanks to his family, friends, and professors for their continuous support and guidance through his journey as an artist! @mouahlou.xiong
Lou
Xiong
Voice - Alto
New Richmond
Emily Zeller is so excited for their second tour with the Kids From Wisconsin! They recently completed their freshman year at Viterbo University and plan to major in musical theater next year. They were featured in Frog and Toad as Assistant Dance Captain and dance ensemble. They would like to thank their mom, Jodi Mealey, and Shane Rhoades for pushing them to be their best. They hope you enjoy the show!
Emily
Zeller