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.

Michael Stanek, a Wisconsin native, is a freelance Director/Choreographer and Arts Educator snd excited to return to Kids From Wisconsin for the 2023 Season. Recent director/choreographer credits include: The RIDE NYC!, (Drama Desk Nominee) 70, Girls, 70, starring Olympia Dukakis (City Center Encores), Stanek has also served as Artistic Director of The Broadway Theatre, Wohlfahrt Haus Theatre, Broadway Kidz Wisconsin, Origin Theatre and Kids With Heart, seen on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. Selected performance credits include: Ed McMahon's Star Search (Finalist), 42nd Street (European Tour), Sophisticated Sing and Swing, starring Mercedes Ellington (National Tour), Camelot, starring John Rubenstien and Ken Page (The MUNY) and Oklahoma! starring Rue McClanahan (Broadway Series of Charlotte). Stanek proudly originated the role of the Prince in Beauty and the Beast (Disney-Hollywood Studios). He is a proud Member of Actors' Equity Association and an Associate Member of The Society for Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Miranda Parker is a proud Kids From Wisconsin Alumni (2018-2021). She is a recent graduate of University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee, where she received a BFA Musical Theater and a BA Dance. Recent credits include She Love Me (Ilona Ritter), Hello! Dolly (Ensemble/ Ermengarde U/S), Dog Sees God (Tricia), Bat Boy (Associate Choreographer/ Dance Captain), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Bazzard), Into The Woods (Florinda), Hamlet (1st Player/King Player/Fortinbras). She is an inaugural artist in Outskirts Theatre Company’s GAP (Growing Artistic Professionals) program. She has studied with The Second City, The Rockettes, the Milwaukee Ballet, and STEPS on Broadway. She choreographed for Milwaukee area high schools and is now located in NYC. She is excited to be back working with Kids From Wisconsin as an associate choreographer after being the dance assistant last season!

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.

Matt has been the Technical Director for Kids from Wisconsin since 2011 and continues to thoroughly enjoy working with the organization. Outside of his role with Kids from Wisconsin, he is the sound designer and engineer for several high school theater productions each year and operates his own company, Pinnacle Audio. When he's not working, he loves spending time with his wife, kids, and the rest of his family and friends.