In addition to being the Artistic Director and chief orchestrator for the Kids From Wisconsin, Taras Nahirniak is an arranger, composer, and clinician who has numerous published works. He has written and composed for many vocal groups, drum corps, and marching bands in the United States, Europe and Japan. He is also an alumni and arranger for the UW Madison Wisconsin Singers. Taras is a sought-after composer who won the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association composers award and was commissioned to compose a 5 movement fully orchestrated piece for the Madison Ballet. The piece, "Night Dances" was performed by the Madison Symphony Orchestra at the opening of the Overture Center. In 1997 his full-scale musical "Everyman" was debuted in Madison and was later performed in California. Taras has directed and performed in a number of musicals around the area. In his free time he is either traveling to watch his kids performing in Broadway national tours or performing himself with Piano Fondue, a dueling piano group and a Billy Joel tribute band, 52nd Street. In 2020 he and his wife moved from the Madison area to Oconomowoc where Taras became the director of music for Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

A proud alumna, Peggy has served Kids from Wisconsin since 2014 in many capacities, most notably a founding leader of the emerging Community Enrichment division and Head Choreographer since 2017. Peggy's vast spectrum of work, primarily as a choreographer and director, includes large scale musicals, adjudications, workshops, clinics and master teaching artist. She has trained hundreds of performers ranging from beginners to professional artists in various dance styles. Peggy was chosen as a primary teaching artist for Disney's Musicals in Schools, and a multiple recipient for "Outstanding Choreography" for Madison WI's Overture Center of the Arts Jerry Awards, achieving excellence in high school musical programming in numerous productions, as well as a choreographer for their award recipient productions for PBS. She has collaborated with numerous artist teams and is a trusted consultant nationally in dance and performance. Peggy also serves on faculty for the Pre-Professional level at The Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. Peggy received her intense dance education from the legendary Jean Wolfmeyer in Manitowoc, WI, while also studying as a scholarship student at the former National Academy of the Arts, Gus Giordano Dance and Lou Conte Dance Studio of Chicago. Peggy enjoyed over 15 years as a professional dancer/entertainer in multiple productions for Disney World, in Las Vegas, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and large productions around the World and TV commercials.

Tatyana Lubov Nahirniak is a Musical Theatre performer, educator, and song-writer originally from the Madison area. Tatyana graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with degrees in both Musical Theatre (BFA) and Anthropology, and she holds a Master of Science in Movement from the University of Florida. Tatyana's top performing credits include Ella in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella the musical, Elsa/Anna/Queen Iduna (u/s) in Disney's 1st National tour of Frozen the musical, and most recently, Marueen in Capital City Theatre's production of Rent. Additionally, Tatyana is a judge and clinician for midwestern region Show Choir competitions, and she instructs at musical theatre programs; her upcoming program she is the lead instructor for is Find Your Light with Capital City Theatre in Madison. In Tatyana’s spare time, she writes and performs original music (under the artist name “taluna” on all major music streaming platforms), reads, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Aurora is thrilled to return to KIDS, now stepping into the role of Dance Assistant. She previously toured as a Principal Singer/Dancer in the Big Bang Boom and Starstruck tours, and additionally served as Starstruck’s Dance Captain. A Madison-based choreographer, performer, and instructor, Aurora Hines holds a BFA in Dance along with a Pilates certificate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. During her senior year, she toured with the Wisconsin Singers as a Singer/Dancer and continues to be their Assistant Choreographer. In April 2025, she premiered her debut concert, The Act of Viewing, a contemporary and theatrical exploration of the female experience. Following graduation, she danced in Jin-Wen Yu’s original dance show, Back-Up, and Anna Peretz Rogovoy’s This & That. Most recently, she worked as Assistant Choreographer for Disney’s Newsies at the Children’s Theater of Madison. Beyond the stage, Aurora shares her love of mindful movement at SPRING Pilates for Life.

Katlin Gerlach is overjoyed to join the Kids from Wisconsin production team. She is a freelance Costume Designer, Technician, and Alterations Specialist. She graduated from UW Parkside in 2014 with a BA in Theatre Arts, specializing in Costume Technology and Design. Professional Technician Credits include: American Players Theatre, The Florentine Opera, Skylight Theatre, and The Milwaukee Rep. Professional Design Credits Include: UW Parkside: As You Like It; The Prairie School: The Little Mermaid, Once on this Island, Chicago (Jerry Award for Best Costume), Elf Jr. the Musical, Into the Woods, Suessical, Mama Mia, Drowsy Chaperone (Jerry Award for Best Costume). Formerly Alterations Manager with David’s Bridal, Katlin runs her own alterations small business in Delevan where she lives with her family.

Alex Knoepker is Director of Bands at Tomah High School in Tomah, Wisconsin, where he conducts the wind ensemble, pep band, jazz ensembles, co-directs the THS Marching Timberwolves each fall, and teaches AP Music Theory. He is an active pianist, accompanist, percussionist, and church organist throughout Wisconsin and is involved with many musical endeavors around the state. Originally from Warrens, WI, in the heart of Wisconsin's cranberry country, he holds a degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Mr. Knoepker's professional affiliations include the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), the National Association for Music Education, the Wisconsin Music Educators Association, and the Wisconsin Concert Band Association. He serves as a WSMA adjudicator, state honor band section coach, and frequently adjudicates at show choir competitions throughout the midwest. He frequently plays in musical pit orchestras in the greater western Wisconsin area and enjoys accompanying as a church musician as well. An alumnus of KIDS from Wisconsin himself, Alex is excited to be part of another year of musical excellence that this troupe brings to dozens of communities around the state. With a focus on the KIDS stage band, he strives to give audiences the iconic clean, crisp sound they have come to know from many past years of excellence. Enjoy the 57th edition of the KIDS, and we'll see you at a show!

Matt Mealey has toured all across the country as a freelance trumpet artist. Performing credits include: lead trumpet for Wayne Newton, the New York Voices, the Irish Tenors, the Temptations, The Four Tops, Frankie Valli, Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Dorsey, Mannheim Steamroller, Steve Lippia, Charles Langley, Gap Mangione, Five by Design, and the National Broadway Tours of 42nd Street and Monty Python's Spamalot. He has also appeared as a guest soloist with the Chippewa Valley Concert Band, the St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, the Robert Baca Jazz Orchestra, as well as several other college and high school bands throughout the country. Matt holds a degree in music education from UW–Eau Claire, and a Master’s degree in trumpet performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. In addition to performing, Matt has also been quite involved in music education. He has served as a jazz and trumpet instructor at the Shell Lake Arts Center, The International Music Camp, and the Northland Youth Music Program. Matt has an extensive history serving as a clinician and adjudicator for jazz festivals and music contests throughout the Midwest. For the past 20 years, Matt has been the Director of Bands at New Richmond High School, where he is fortunate to work alongside his Choir Director wife Jodi. Both alumni of Kids From Wisconsin, Matt (92-95; stage band coach 96-98) and Jodi (96-98) like to think their experiences from KIDS inspire their collaborative efforts in musicals and concerts. Matt is very exited to be a part of the KIDS organization again, and he hopes to inspire the next generation of young artists.

Lily Grochowski is so excited for this opportunity to expand her love for the performing arts, regardless of if she is performing onstage or working behind the scenes! She is a recent graduate from Mukwonago High School and will be studying theatre and music at Millikin University this fall. Lily is so grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who has supported her on her journey so far.