Executive Producer

Originally from Monroe, Wisconsin, Abby Pritzl is a Wisconsin Singers alumna who has been a part of the Singers family for the past nine years. She has played many different roles within the organization, but has most recently served as the Friends of Wisconsin Singers executive board Program Chair. Her working career has included both performance and higher education, and she has spent the past four years working at UW-Madison in the Department of History. Abby is delighted to work with this year's troupe to carry on the 55+ year tradition of excellence.

Vocal Specialist

Luke Hrovat-Staedter is thrilled to be joining the Wisconsin Singers’ professional staff as the new Vocal Specialist. A native of Madison and a UW graduate (BM '14, MM '22), he has a diverse list of musical experiences spanning choral directing, operatic performance, pop a cappella, musical theater, dueling pianos, and more. He is currently the choir director at Madison East High School and performs locally at The Ivory Room piano bar and as a vocalist/keyboardist with The Big Payback.

Assistant Choreographer

As an active musical theater professional, and someone who deeply values arts education, Kayla is delighted to return to Singers as assistant choreographer! Currently based in New York City, her love of musical theater began with Singers. After graduation she chose to pursue a musical theater career professionally, and spent years studying, learning, and working to take her career to the next step. Credits include: Off-Broadway; Stardust Road. Broadway national tours; A Bronx Tale, Motown the Musical, Legally Blonde. Selected regional; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ragtime (Broadway Music Circus), The Karate Kid (STAGES St. Louis), Kiss Me, Kate (Marriott Theatre), West Side Story, JC Superstar, A Chorus Line (The Ordway). She is eager to share her extensive knowledge on the demanding, awe-inspiring, and essential industry that is musical theater, and encourage the 56th season of Singers to share their talents and unique gifts with the world!

Instrumental Specialist

Jerry Kember started teaching in 1970, and has taught music to elementary, middle, and high school students. He moved to La Crosse in 1989 where he began as the Supervisor of Fine Arts and in 1999 was promoted to Associate Superintendent of Instruction. In 2011 he retired as La Crosse’s Superintendent of Schools. Jerry has 11 years of experience as high school band director and 25 years experience in public school administration. He directed the Show Band for La Crosse Central High School’s Grand Central Station Show Choir for 6 years. During those years they won “Best Band” in every competition except one. He is the past president of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association, past president of the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, past president of the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), and was appointed by the last two governors to serve on the Wisconsin Arts Board. In 1998, he was named Wisconsin Educational Services Administrator of the Year and in 2010 he was recognized as Wisconsin’s Superintendent of the Year. Since his retirement as Superintendent of the School District of La Crosse, Kember has taught 4 years at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and served 2 years as the Dean of the School of Education, Science, and Mathematics at Viterbo University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master of Science degree in Communications from Syracuse University. He completed course work in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and completed his superintendent's license at Winona State University.

Orchestrator

Jenna Mood is excited to be back writing music for the Wisconsin Singers Band! She studied music at UW-Madison while playing trombone in Singers for six years. After graduation she started her own music arranging business, working with show choirs and groups all around the USA. Jenna is a lifelong musician who continues to play trombone and sing in several bands, including her family group, Mood Family Band. She and her husband, former Singers’ synth player Michael Mood, homeschool their four beautiful boys on a small farmette in Cottage Grove.

Director Of Business Operations / Sound Engineer

Chris Novotny is a Wisconsin Singers alumnus who has served on the Friends of Wisconsin Singers Executive Board since its inception in 1994. A UW graduate (BBA '97/ MBA '11), Chris is a currently CFO/COO of On-Site Studios, a national virtual video production company. He provides business oversight to the Wisconsin Singers program, to which he attributes much of his success.

Chris also serves as Wisconsin Singers’ Sound Engineer and brings an exceptional talent to enhancing the overall sound of the Singers show.

Arranger

Steve Saari is a Wisconsin Singers alumnus originally from Prentice, WI. He has achieved a multi-faceted career as a composer, arranger, musical director, and performance artist working in Broadway and commercial theater, classical concerts, as well as live performances with recording artists. For 15 years he has worked in music and production fleetwide for Royal Caribbean International, and has composed 23 children’s musicals as a resident artist with Brooklyn Children’s Theater. Steve has performed at the piano for audiences across North America, Europe, Asia, and the high seas. He holds degrees from UW-Madison, Belmont University and an advanced certificate from the Juilliard School of Music.

Choreographer

Micheal Stanek a native of Spring Green, Wisconsin, spent the last 25 years living in New York City working as a performer, director, choreographer and teaching artist. He served at the resident choreographer for The RIDE! (Drama Desk Nominee) and Artistic Director/Choreographer for Broadway Kids With Heart, (Rosie O’Donnell Show). In 2006, he assisted Tony-Award winner Kathleen Marshall on 70, Girls, 70, starring Olympia Dukakis (City Center Encores!). Stanek has performed all over the United States and Europe touring with 42nd Street and creating the original role of the Prince in Beauty and the Beast (Disney-MGM Studios). He has directed/choreographed over 100 different theatrical productions and is 25-year member of Actors’ Equity Association and 10-year associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Program Coordinator

Kelsey Yudice is an arts administrator who hopes to use her skills and passions to provide more inclusive, accessible arts opportunities to youth and Wisconsin communities. Kelsey received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Sociology. Afterward, she worked as an actor, director, teaching artist, and producer in Chicago and the Washington D.C. area. As InterAct Story Theatre’s Associate Artist, she brought theatre and artist-in-residence programs to underserved communities around Washington D.C. teaching school curriculum through different art mediums. Eventually, she became InterAct's Outreach Associate, expanding their communication and development efforts. Kelsey recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership program at the Bolz Center for Arts Administration. Kelsey is currently on the Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission.