Mark Dorn Producer - Director

Producer Mark Dorn brings experience, creativity, and vision to the Kids from Wisconsin program.  A member of our band in the 70’s, he combines his professional performance experience with over 20 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, leads and performs with a faculty jazz quintet, and teaches trumpet and conducting.  He is active as a freelance trumpet artist and as a jazz and symphonic band clinician.     The late Mark Azzolina, founder of the KIDS, always dreamed that KIDS alumni would one day run the KIDS program.  Mark Dorn’s tenure as producer has been a realization of that dream.  In his hands, the future of the KIDS program is bright.

Taras Nahirniak Choral Director/Chief Orchestrator

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.  Since 1996, 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 composer, musician and clinician, directing numerous musicals in the Madison area, as well as composing and arranging music for colleges and high schools.  In 1997 he composed the full musical, Everyman, which premiered in Madison and was later performed in California.  He recently won the 2002 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association composers award.

Tom Terrien Choreographer

Tom Terrien has served as choreographer since the opening day of our first show camp in 1969, providing the signature high-energy look the KIDS have become known for.  His creativity, high standards, and proven teaching ability transform even 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 continues to choreograph revues and shows throughout Wisconsin, and is active as a clinician and adjudicator for show choir festivals.

Lynn Calicchio Executive Director

Lynn joined the administrative staff in June 1999.  She previously worked for Executive Director, Inc. where she managed non-profit membership associations.      Lynn holds a degree in business administration majoring in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  In addition to her education and experience, she brings to the KIDS organization a love of musical performance.     In her free time, Lynn enjoys downtown Milwaukee, from art galleries to musicals, from the lakefront to any of the many wonderful restaurants.  She also loves the Packers and the Badgers.  Lynn lives in Milwaukee and is now an empty nester. She is the proud mom of two grown children. Both graduates of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Jason is continuing his studies at UMich - Ann Arbor and Melissa is heading to Arizona.

Kyle Gregory Stage Band Coach

Dr. 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. 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.

Kristen Singer Costume Design

The creative costuming seen throughout our show is the work of KIDS alumnus, Kristen Singer (96-99). After four years as singer/dancer with KIDS, Kristen went on to perform on cruise ships. She continues to keep busy professionally as accompanist at Bradford High School in Kenosha as well as Asst. Director for Les Miserables, Seussical the Musical and Lovers, Oliver!, and choreography for Pippin, West Side Story and Sweeney Todd. She also includes costume design for Look Homeward, Angel (UW-Parkside) and Sweeney Todd among her credits. Kristen is a UW-Parkside graduate with undergraduate degree in theatre. Kristen will be making an exciting move to England right after the 2007 troupe premieres in June.

Eric Mielke Technical Director

The wonderful mix of sound you hear from our stage each summer comes from the talents of former KID, Eric Mielke. He is in charge of sound, stage set-up and a thousand other tasks.  Eric played electric bass with the KIDS from 1988 to 1990.  He also worked as assistant technical director on several occasions before becoming the head director.     Eric holds degrees in music from UW-Madison and sound engineering from Belmont University in Nashville where he now resides and works. He also has performed on cruise ships and around the Milwaukee area.

Sarah Miller Assistant Technical Director

Sarah Miller is excited to join KIDS tour staff as the assistant technical director after playing keyboards for the group in 2003, 2004, and 2006. Sarah graduated from St. Olaf College in 2007, earning a degree in music education.  While at St. Olaf, she took advantage of many performing opportunities on clarinet, bass clarinet, and piano.  Since graduation, Sarah has been teaching elementary classroom music in the Twin Cities Metro area, which she plans to continue in the fall.

Amanda Lewin Tour Assistant

KIDS alumnus, Amanda Lewin, is very excited to be joining the KIDS tour staff this summer. She played trumpet in the KIDS band in 2005.     Amanda is a senior Choral and Instrumental Music Education Major from Milwaukee, WI. She currently studies at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and has recently returned from studying in London, England. She plays professionally around Milwaukee and Central Wisconsin areas and has a great deal of experience in theater and working with young adults. Welcome Amanda!