Mark Dorn Producer

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.  He holds masters degrees in trumpet performance and in counseling.     Mr. Dorn has four grown children and one new grandson.  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 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.  Taras is also the recipient of the 2002 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association composers award.

Tom Terrien Choreographer Laureate

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. As Choreographer Laureate he will be staging two large production numbers in this year's show.     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.

Barbara Dorn Executive Director, Emeritus

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 is currently working in tandem with 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 Pewaukee and survives her husband of 52 years, the late Tom Dorn. Her interests include golf, reading mysteries and watching the Badgers and Packers on the football field.

Tamara Martinsek Executive Director

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 a senior at Tosa East HS. Her “hobbies” include performing with several of the Milwaukee theatre groups and acting as advisor for the theatre and forensics students at Tosa East.

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. This position was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board made possible by an award from the National Endowment for the arts with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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.  Eric recently moved to Orlando, Fl where he resides with his new bride, Jennifer.  He continues to mix sound for numerous productions in Wisconsin and Florida.  He also has performed on cruise ships and around the Milwaukee area.

Sarah Miller Tour & Tech Assistant

Assistant Technical Director Sarah Miller adds the responsibility of tour assistant for this season.  She played keyboards with the troupe in 2003, 2004, 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 piano, clarinet, and bass clarinet.  During the school year, Sarah works as an elementary music teacher in the Dassel-Cokato District in Minnesota.

Deanna Garland Costume Designer

Deanna Garland joins the KIDS staff as Costume Designer this year.  She has been designing for more than 10 years and sewing for well over 25.  Deanna also designs and sews costumes for local show choirs, musicals, synchronized swimming individuals, and the State and National Water Ski Champions, the Mad-City Ski Team.  Deanna recently started her business Applauze that specializes in costumes and water-ski wear.