Producer Mark Dorn brings experience, creativity, and vision to the KIDS from Wisconsin program. A member of the KIDS band in the 70's, he combines his professional performance experience with nearly 30 years as a music educator to lead the KIDS program, providing a rewarding experience for each "KID" and producing fresh and exciting shows for our audiences.

Mr. Dorn is associate professor of music at Colorado Christian University where he coordinates the instrumental music program, conducts the Wind Ensemble, directs the Jazz Band, teaches trumpet and conducting, and is heavily involved in the mentoring of undergraduate students. In his touring with CCU ensembles, he has presented concerts in over 60 cities across the United States and Mexico. He is active as a freelance trumpet artist and as a jazz and symphonic band clinician. Mr. Dorn is regularly recognized as an exemplary professor on the CCU faculty, was named Faculty Member of the Year in 2003, and is deeply involved in the music profession, with memberships in the Music Educators National Conference, the Colorado Bandsman Association, the International Trumpet Guild, and holds a charter membership in the newly formed Jazz Education Network. Mr. Dorn recently received the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award for 2009–10 at Colorado Christian University, a faculty–nominated honor. He holds masters degrees in trumpet performance and in counseling.

Mr. Dorn has four grown children and two grandsons. He lives in the Denver area when not involved in his summer activities with the KIDS, and enjoys hiking, backpacking, and camping in the Rocky Mountains.

Taras Nahirniak joined the staff of the KIDS in 1990 as our rehearsal accompanist. His multiple talents became apparent quickly, and he was soon assisting with choral rehearsals and writing arrangements for our show. Over the last ten years he has written well over half of the custom arrangements performed by the KIDS, and now plays an integral role in the planning and musical direction of our show.

Taras is a freelance arranger and composer, with numerous published works. He writes and composes for vocal groups, drum corps, and marching bands in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and was recently commissioned to compose a five movement piece, "Night Dances", which was performed by the Madison Symphony Orchestras and Madison Ballet for the opening of the Overture Center. In 1997 he composed the full musical, Everyman, which premiered in Madison and was later performed in California. In 2002 he won the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association composers award. Taras also serves as the music director at Bethany United Methodist Church, and is actively involved in the music program at Monona Grove High School.

Dr. J Kyle Gregory has served on our staff as band coach since 1999, and is responsible each year during our Show Camp for preparing the band for a summer of touring and performing the wide variety of styles the KIDS band has become known for.

Dr. Gregory holds a bachelors and masters degree from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Arts in trumpet performance from the University of Northern Colorado. During his time at UNC, he was a U.S. Fulbright scholar, studying for a year in Budapest, Hungary. He was the trumpet and jazz professor for five years at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois before moving to Verona, Italy where he is now in high demand as a jazz artist, clinician, and director. Performing all over Europe, Dr. Gregory can be heard on various recordings, in live jazz clubs, leading several big bands, and performing regularly in jazz clubs and venues. He recently released a CD entitled World Downside Up, a stunningly lyrical and dramatic set of all–original and improvisatory music.

Dr. Gregory was a member of the KIDS troupe in the early 80's, and is married to Kim (Goff), also a KIDS alumnus. Kyle and Kim and their three children reside in Verona, Italy.

After serving as Assistant Choreographer since 1998, Jessica (Kissner) Foley enters her 14th season on our staff as KIDS choreographer. Jessica was a member of the KIDS for three summers, featured often as both a vocal soloist and spotlighted dancer.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Professional performance credits include the Welk Musical Christmas, Oklahoma, West Side Story and Can Can, all at the Lawrence Welk Resort Theatre in California. Jessica also toured nationally as Jenny, the lead role in the Sesame Street Live production.

Mrs. Foley has choreographed for numerous high school music groups, Community Theatre Productions, and local pageants, and is an active dance teacher in central and northern Wisconsin. Jessica lives in Wisconsin Rapids with her husband, Sean, and their children Alexandra, Brock and Kendall.

Kerry Hart, a four–year KIDS Alumnus and former Tour Assistant, is thrilled to return to the staff again this year.

She received her Master's degree in voice performance from Northwestern University in June 2005. Kerry is a vocal coach and accompanist throughout southeastern Wisconsin and at Northwestern University. She also works professionally as a singer and pianist with opera companies in Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago. Kerry resides in Burlington with her husband, Matthew and their children, Rachel and Adam.

Deanna joined the KIDS staff as Costume Designer in 2009. For over 30 years she has been creating and sewing various garments and costumes which can be seen on stage every year.

Deanna obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. In 2009 she began her own business called Applauze which specializes in custom costumes and water ski wear.

In addition to her work with KIDS From Wisconsin, she has designed and sewn costumes for various musicals, show choir groups, water ski teams, water ballet performers, the UW–Madison dance program and the Wisconsin Singers. Deanna is very excited to see her costumes debut during the 2011 Tommy Bartlett Ski Show in Wisconsin Dells.

During her spare time, Deanna loves to travel and spend time with friends and family. She lives in Cottage Grove with her husband, Keith, and son, Payton. She is also very close to her two grown daughters, Taryn and Kayla.

A former kid herself, Melissa is thrilled to be back with this wonderful organization and the mighty talented staff that make the Kids from Wisconsin GREAT! Melissa graduated from UWSP with a degree in Musical Theater and has performed professionally throughout the midwest. Now she resides in Hudson, WI and has been teaching dance to students of all ages for the past 11 years, choreographing for theaters in the twin cities area, the musical group GO FISH for their children's VBS video, as well as singing, acting and dancing on her own when the opportunities arise. But what keeps her truly fulfilled is being a momma to four children of her own and being married to a man who lets her creativity fly.

Tom Terrien served as choreographer from the opening day of our first show camp in 1969 through the 2010 season, providing the signature high–energy look the KIDS have become known for. His creativity, high standards, and proven teaching ability transformed inexperienced dancers into polished performers.

With a professional stage career that began at the young age of 16, he has been an entertainer, owned a dance studio, and choreographed hundreds of shows for television, variety shows, musicals, pageants and show choirs across the nation. He estimates that he has directed and/or choreographed over 300 musicals at area high schools over the years! Mr. Terrien continues to choreograph revues and shows in a variety of contexts, and is active as a clinician and adjudicator for show choir festivals.

Tamara Martinsek was added to the KIDS family as Executive Director in September 2009. Tamara brings over 20 years of marketing, event management and fundraising experience, as well as a dedication to promoting the arts and arts education.

Her career path has includes positions with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (Wisconsin AIDS Fund), the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Skylight Opera Theatre, The Milwaukee Rep, and the United Performing Arts Fund. She also ran her own business, The Milwaukee Group Connection, which handled group sales for over 15 local arts groups and event venues.

Tamara makes her home in Wauwatosa with her actor/singer son Ryan, who is currently working towards a BFA in Musical Theatre at Roosevelt University. In her spare time Tamara continues to expand a 35 year "theatre hobby" by performing with many local companies including Windfall Theater and Off the Wall Productions and coaches high school performers in audition techniques and acting.

Barbara returned to the position of Executive Director in spring 2009 after a hiatus of eight years following her retirement in 2001. She guided the KIDS organization through its 41st season until fall 2009 when the new Executive Director came on board. As Executive Director Emeritus, she lends her assistance and experience as needed to current Executive Director, Tamara. Barbara has been a member of the KIDS staff since 1976, first as Executive Assistant, then General Manager and finally, Executive Director. She also edits the KIDS newsletter, The Troubadour, and is Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Barbara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Chemistry and taught at UW – Milwaukee, did research work for the University of Colorado and was head chemist at Sandia Base Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She studied music and is a published writer of children's stories.

Barbara has four children, Mark (former KID and current KIDS' Producer), the late Patrick (also a former KID), Raymond and Julie. She resides in New Berlin and survives her husband of 52 years, the late Tom Dorn. Her interests include travel, golf, reading mysteries and watching the Badgers and Packers on the football field.

Karl is thrilled to be working with the KIDS FROM WISCONSIN organization.

Karl was Company Manager of BROADWAY BABY DINNER THEATER for 4 years when it was nder the ownership of the late John Bohan and Elaine Parsons– Herro.

Karl has been active in Milwaukee Theatre for 30 plus years as an Actor, Dancer, Singer, Choreographer, Director and Teacher. He has worked Professionaly with Bialystock and Bloom, In Tandem, Windfall, Broadway Baby, The Skylight, Off The Wall, Florentine Opera, M&W Productions and First Stage Children's Theater as one or more of the above mentioned titles. Karl spent 4 years doing Night Club performing in Bangkok and Pattaya Thailand along with dancing in modeling shows throughout the Midwest in his career.

Karl is a lead Musical Theater Teacher at First Stage Children's Theater Academy and works with the Education Department at The Skylight.

He has Choreographed High School Musicals for the past 23 years including Homestead (16 years), Wauwatosa West (4 years), Greendale (6 years), single shows at Slinger, Brookfield Central, Whitnall and Cudahy and 4 years with Oconomowoc where he has just been honored with a 2010/2011 TOMMY Award for Best Choreography (BYE, BYE BIRDIE).

Milwaukee native Amanda Lewin returns to staff this year as the Stage Band Director and Tour Director. She was a trumpet player for the KIDS in 2005 and has since served in both the tour and tech assistant positions.

Amanda is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, earning a Bachelor of Music in instrumental, choral, and general music education. She is the Director of Choirs and Bands for the Pittsville School District in Pittsville, WI (the exact center of the state). Amanda has also been very involved in directing theater productions and show choirs.

From Mayville, WI, Matt Pea joins the KIDS this season as Technical Director. He holds a degree in Recording and Music Technology and is currently working on his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Aside from attending college, Matt mixes for various acts across the region working primarily the audio engineer position, but takes on the role of lighting technician when necessary. He also has done studio work with groups from the Wisconsin and Seattle, Washington areas. Recently, Matt received album credits for playing electric bass and being the lead engineer for "...a lot of road to go."