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Our Team
The Kids from Wisconsin is part of an entertainment tradition that goes back 55 years to its beginnings as a musical production created for Wisconsin’s talented youth back in 1969. Today, the pride and passion that fueled that early music lives on through a Kids from Wisconsin Revue touring production each summer and our community enrichment programming aimed at providing access to music for young people all across Wisconsin.
Meet our hardworking team of talented and dedicated professionals who make our mission possible by bringing our touring productions to life and sharing music with young people in our communities through our enrichment and education programs.
Interested in joining our team? View our current job opportunties here.
Administrative
Tara Johnson
Executive Director
Tara Johnson joins us with more than 20 years of organizational and administrative leadership experience in financial management firms. This includes a variety of skills essential to the role of executive director such as: process improvement and workflow design, corporate communications and information management, strategic marketing and brand building, comprehensive accounting and financial systems, as well as having strong client engagement and relations skills. In addition, Tara has been an active organizer and supporter of the arts, serving on multiple committees and boards. Her connections to the Kids from Wisconsin run deep as well, being a parent to a troupe member the last several years, leading the parents' group, coordinating a large-scale, sponsored performance opportunity for the Kids in Madison, and recently becoming a member of our Kids Board of Directors.
Peggy Morgan Strimple
Programming Operations Director
Peggy Strimple has been our Operations Director for the past year in a part-time role, but thankfully stepped in full-time to provide us interim Executive Director support at the end of 2023. Her contributions to this organization have been enormous on all fronts. We are indebted to Peggy for that leadership and commitment and excited to give her this full-time operations opportunity. In addition, Peggy will continue as head of Choreography, as well as a trusted advisor for the artistic director, helping with set up and running auditions, camps and show design. She will also continues to oversee the Realize Your Dream programming. soriginated.
Keven Riggle
Administrative Assistant & Librarian
Keven Riggle has been volunteering with the Kids organization since 1991. A graduate of Badger High School (Lake Geneva) he received his Library Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. After 36 years he recently retired from Marquette University where he worked in the Library's Information Technology department.
Whether it's auditions, Kids camp, performances, taking photos, moving equipment and wardrobe, preparing music for distribution, and just recently, digitally archiving 50 years of music, Keven can be found doing just about anything and everything. Also known as \"the cookie man\" he bakes 1600+ cookies every summer for Kids camp and the tour season.
Abby Bloomquist
Interim Community Enrichment Director
Abby Bloomquist is a Milwaukee based director, actor, teaching artist, choreographer, and college audition coach. She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with degrees in Theatre and Communication in 2022. In addition to being a teaching artist with Kids From Wisconsin, Abby has collaborated with First Stage, Sunset Playhouse, Brio Studios, Lake Country Players, and various elementary, high school, and college theatre programs. Abby has enjoyed going back to her show choir roots this year as Hamilton High School’s Assistant Director for Synergy. She is also an active participant in WISDAA State One Act Competition and International Thespian Festival. Through these experiences, Abby has gained an appreciation for arts education and values its importance in the Milwaukee community and beyond. When not working, she enjoys taking ballet classes at Danceworks, playwrighting, and traveling to new countries. Abby looks forward to sharing her knowledge with the next generation of artists in a new capacity!
Carley Kolsch
Program Manager
Carley Kolsch is a passionate Wisconsin theater artist. She was born and raised in Menomonee Falls, and currently resides in West Bend.
Carley graduated from Valparaiso University in 2019 with a major in theater and minors in dance and communications. Some of her favorite credits there include Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Rose and the Rime (Rose), Sylvia (Sylvia), and Spitfire Grill (Percy). She was also an Irene Ryan semi-finalist and attended the Open Jar Institute in New York.
In her "free time", Carley is the artistic director of Accompany of Kids (AOK), a youth song and dance troupe based out of Menomonee Falls. She choreographs for AOK frequently, as well as Dramatic Impact through Germantown High School.
You may recognize Carley from 2022’s Big Bang Boom tour as the production manager! She is so excited to be back, and can’t wait to see how her new role grows with the organization.
Eric Guenther
Creative Consultant
Artistic
Taras Nahirniak
Artistic Director/Chief Orchestrator
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.
Peggy Morgan Strimple
Choreographer
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. With the organization growing to offer year-round performance education opportunities for youth, her vast experience supports both the traditional and creative development of its core programming.
Peggy's 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's Jerry Awards, achieving excellence in high school musical programming in numerous productions, as well as a choreographer for their award recipient production 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 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.
Michael Stanek
Choreographer
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.
Matt Mealey
Camp Band Director
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.
Katlin Gerlach
Costume Designer
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.
Hope Riesterer
Dance Assistant
Hope Riesterer is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, with a BFA in Musical Theater and a Dance Minor. She grew up studying dance with the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy and theater with First Stage’s Young Company, where she was able to perform at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Hope is a Kids from Wisconsin Alumni, 2015 -2018. Other recent performance credits include: Lisa in Mamma Mia at Skylight Music Theatre, Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad at Hope Summer Repertory Theater, Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia, and Cassandra in Trojan Women. Hope also has a passion for choreographing and teaching. She is a recent recipient for “Outstanding Choreography” from Overture Center of the Arts’ Jerry Awards and is a teacher of Musical Theatre Dance classes and workshops with The Studio at Water Street Dance Milwaukee.
She can’t wait to be back with her Kids from Wisconsin family for a second summer in the role of Dance Assistant!
Touring Production
Matt Pea
Production Manager / Tour Manager
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.
Alex Knoepker
Stage Band Director/ Tour Assistant
Alex Knoepker is Director of Bands at Tomah High School in Tomah, Wisconsin. At THS, he conducts the wind ensemble, pep band, jazz ensembles, co-directs the THS marching band each fall, and teaches courses in 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 UW-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 very much.
An alumnus of Kids From Wisconsin himself, Alex is excited to be part of another year of musical excellence that the 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 56th edition of the KIDS, and we'll see you at a show!
Hunter Evenson
Production Assistant / A2
Born and raised in Galesville, WI, Hunter is very excited to be reuniting with the KIDS organization after performing with the group in 2012 and 2013.
Graduating from GET High School, Hunter went on to receive his Music Education degree from Viterbo University in 2018. Hunter served 2 years as the Choir Teacher at Independence School district from 2018-2020, and now finishing his 4th year at Brookwood School District as their Choir and General Music Teacher (2020-present).
In his free time, he enjoys creating Acapella music, recording music challenges on TikToc, going to the movies and escape rooms, and taking solo trips around the country! He's ready to help make this year EPIC for the KIDS From Wisconsin!!
Carley Kolsch
Tour Assistant
Carley Kolsch is a passionate Wisconsin theater artist. She was born and raised in Menomonee Falls, and currently resides in West Bend.
Carley graduated from Valparaiso University in 2019 with a major in theater and minors in dance and communications. Some of her favorite credits there include Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Rose and the Rime (Rose), Sylvia (Sylvia), and Spitfire Grill (Percy). She was also an Irene Ryan semi-finalist and attended the Open Jar Institute in New York.
In her "free time", Carley is the artistic director of Accompany of Kids (AOK), a youth song and dance troupe based out of Menomonee Falls. She choreographs for AOK frequently, as well as Dramatic Impact through Germantown High School.
You may recognize Carley from 2022’s Big Bang Boom tour as the production manager! She is so excited to be back, and can’t wait to see how her new role grows with the organization.
Nelson Lu
Lighting Technician
Born in New York City and raised in Portage, Wisconsin, Nelson is excited to be joining Kids From Wisconsin this year as a lighting technician.
Nelson is currently attending UW - Madison, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Digital Cinema Production. He has always loved theatre and music. His first production was Les Misérables at Portage High School and it still remains his favorite musical to date. He was also very involved in the band program, and served as drum major of the Portage High School marching band. Nelson is also going on four years touring with the Wisconsin Singers as their Technical Director and Co-Lighting Designer.
This will be Nelson’s first year touring with KIDS, and he couldn’t be more thrilled. He is excited to join the Kids From Wisconsin team and expand his musical reach!
Hannah Prellwitz
Stage Manager
Originally from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Hannah is currently the Instrumental Music Teacher in the New Lisbon School District in New Lisbon, Wisconsin where she teaches General Music and 5th-12th Grade Band.
Hannah is a member of the following professional organizations: Wisconsin School Music Association, the National Band Association-Wisconsin Chapter, and the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME). Hannah holds a degree in Music Education from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where she served as the Music Department’s Student Representative, NAfME President, and other leadership roles. While at UW-La Crosse, Hannah also served on the NAfME Intercollegiate Student Board.
This will be Hannah’s first summer with the KIDS organization and she is SO excited to begin working with the phenomenal staff and cast!
Teaching Artists
Abby Bloomquist
Abby is a Director, Teacher, Choreographer, and Theater Artist based out of Milwaukee. She is a recent graduate from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a BA in Theatre and Communications. When not onstage, Abby assistant directs at Hamilton High School. She also works at Brio Studios directing, choreographing, teaching show choir, and everything in between. She is a big musical theatre nerd, enjoys spending time on the boat, and loves snuggling her dogs. Abby absolutely loves sharing her passions for acting, singing, and dancing with the next generation of artists!
Ashley Bednerak
From the young age of 4, Ashley has always been dancing! She started her background in ballet, jazz and tap. In high school, she was on her school's dance team. In college and thereafter, she immersed herself in learning dances from around the world. Currently, she focuses on salsa, bachata and Brazilian Zouk! Ashley has also been an elementary classroom teacher for over 10 years. Because of her love of music, she started taking vocal lessons as an adult. Ashley loves merging music, dance and academics together to create a holistic and engaging student environment!
Aundre Reid
Aundre is a singer, dancer, and actor based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A native of Milwaukee, he went to Wisconsin Lutheran High School(‘20) and continued his studies at American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City(20-21). After leaving New York, he went back to his hometown and is currently going to The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee studying Versatile Voice. He loves teaching because as a kid his teachers made a difference in his life by being there, accepting him, and loving him and that is exactly what he wants to do for these children. He also enjoys seeing growth and breakthroughs within children as well. Something Aundre would like the children to know is that he is a cheerleader so he can do all types of flips and tricks.
Baila Weiss
Baila Weiss was born in the Ukraine and grew up in Australia where she started dancing at 5, quickly understanding that this would be her passion for life. After graduating The Victorian College of the Arts, and dancing at The National, she moved to Los Angeles, performing, teaching, choreographing, and directing musicals for many years. Now in Milwaukee, Baila is excited to impart the beauty of performing arts to the next generation.
Elliot White
I have always held a huge passion for the arts and think its a very important part of not only children's development, but their overall livelihood. I attended Milwaukee High School of the Arts, and am currently studying Theatre and Art at UW-Milwuakee. The teachers and experiences I’ve had have driven me to see the beauty in the world and how to interact with it. I am so excited to get to pass on my knowledge and experience and help cultivate the next generation of artists.
John Stanford
I love an array of things. Some hobbies that are close to my heart are singing, of course, dancing (when no one is watching), cleaning, cooking, love to play tennis, and teaching music. I grew up in Rockford Illinois, That is where I fell in love with music. I grew up in church; growing up in church gave me access to music, that close access was beautiful to me. Although I had access, I wanted more from music; I wanted a deeper understanding. I had to find that on my own. Finding interesting musical influences on my own led me to some amazing artist that crafted my gift and directed my interest. I studied Donald Lawrence, Destiny's Child, James Brown, Ray Charles.
My love of music is very deep, I would even say embedded into my soul. As stated earlier, I love to cook! My favorite meal to make is seafood gumbo! I make a mean dish. Something that makes me laugh is goat scream videos, I don't know why they get me every time, but they do. I hope to meet you all and make wonderful music with you where you all have the ability to share music and joy with the world. Never limit yourself and never limit your gift, it can always grow.
Jordan Ellis
After spending a decade in the Big Apple, Jordan is happy to be back home in Wisconsin. With over 20 years of stage experience, Jordan has performed in national and international tours, regional theaters and on cruise ships. He has also had the opportunity to sing backup for some of New York City's most well-known cabaret artists and Broadway stars. Still an active performer, you can find Jordan singing alongside The Company Men around the country, as well as on cruise ships as a guest entertainer. Jordan holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Having had such a positive experience performing in his youth with Accompany of Kids (AOK), Jordan is excited to share the joy of the arts with the next generation! When not on stage, you can find him curled up with a good movie, or jamming out to one of his favorite artists.
Marcya McReynolds
Born in Germany, Marcya is a cross-genre artist who specializes in jazz. Her repertoire of jazz standards, inclusive of select tunes from the Motown era, is the palette she uses to tell stories that celebrate love, offer comfort during moments of loss and remind us of the hilarity that can be found in everyday life.
Marcya's professional singing career began at the age of 15 when her high school choir director hired her to sing at local weddings. While completing a bachelor's degree at Roosevelt University/Chicago Musical College, Marcya worked as a cantor for various parishes in the Chicago area and received her first contract with an opera company. Additionally, Marcya is the recipient of awards/acknowledgements from several music organizations including, Lakeview Music Society, N.A.T.S. (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee.
Marcya is an active performer with her own namesake ensembles, as well as the Milwaukee Jazz Institute Faculty Ensemble. Additionally, she is a member of AAJC (African American Jazz Caucus), CCP(Chicago Cabaret Professionals), JEN (Jazz Education Network).
Martilia Marechal
Martilia is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is currently a junior at Marquette University studying Theatre and Psychology. Her favorite activities include singing (basically all the time), acting, drawing, cooking/baking, and spending time with her friends and family! Her favorite drink is chai tea and her favorite food is potatoes! She has had wonderful teachers throughout her life that have shown her the beauty of music, which is why she is excited to share her love of performing and singing with you!
Ruari O'Naughton
Teaching brings me joy, because no one can match my energy like a kid who is excited and fascinated by the very same things that I am passionate about. I have lived in Milwaukee my whole life, and I'm well aware of the talent and creativity that exists in this city. All kids should have the opportunity to discover those talents and express their creativity no matter what school they go to, and it thrills me to be a part of that.
Stacey Pagac
My education is in Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler education through MATC, and Dance through UWM. I have worked in childcare for over 20 years.
I work as a Teaching Artist, helping students express themselves through music and dance. This is also my passion. I have witnessed that children who learn to express themselves through music and theater arts have shown success with balancing their emotions.
Outside of my Teaching Artist profession, I enjoy spending time with my husband Nicholas, whom I’ve been married to for 17 years now. We have three boys who we are raising in Franklin, Wisconsin. Our weekends are filled with soccer, baseball, and all sorts of other extracurricular activities.
I am a Certified Massage Therapist since 1994, specializing in Neuromuscular Therapy for pain relief and Sports Massage for athletes. This trade is very complimentary to me as a dancer, as I am always aware of my own body aches, injuries, etc. Having three boys involved in sports, Massage Therapy has also helped them with their muscle strains, and growing pains.
I also work as the After School Program Coordinator at St. Alphonsus, Franklin. I manage and oversee the after-school program, creating various activities for students, handling student behavioral concerns within the program, and the hiring and management of the staff.
Working with children teaches me patience and compassion as a person. It also reminds me that not one child is like another. We all learn differently. We all grow differently. But, we are all special. We are all unique.
Wynter Bates
Wynter is a Columbia College Chicago graduate with a passion for voice. They release projects falling under the R&B umbrella and play both guitar and piano. Wynter enjoys self producing projects and coordinating songwriting sessions with musicians from around the globe. Outside of music, Wynter cares for their three pet rabbits and enjoys visiting new restaurants in the area.
Yacob Bennett
Yacob is a classically trained singer and pianist, and more than anything he is a music theory nerd from Milwaukee, WI. He first began performing in high school, with the Wauwatosa East Choirs, Wauwatosa East Players, and in musicals at Sunset Playhouse. Yacob is a passionate teacher who believes in making learning a fun experience for students. He enjoys incorporating his students’ interests into their education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Psychology from Ripon College and has been studying multiple styles of voice and piano for a decade under a variety of teachers. When he’s not teaching voice lessons, you can find him singing in the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Yacob loves teaching and he can’t wait to share the joy of music with you!
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