Staff Directory

Mr. Babbitt graduated in 1985 from the UWM with an MM degree in double bass performance. He has worked extensively throughout the Midwest as a professional bassist and educator.

As a performer he has worked with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Festival City Symphony, Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Philharmonic, Bel Canto Chorus and Orchestra, Skylight Opera, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Florentine Opera and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He is also active as a jazz performer, having worked with Chuck Hedges, David Hazeltine and Manty Ellis.

Mr. Babbitt served as Wisconsin Conservatory of Music faculty chair of the String Department from 1996 to 1999 and has also served as adjunct faculty at UWM, UW-Stevens Point, Concordia University, Cardinal Stitch University, Carroll College, Alverno College Community Arts Department, the String Academy of Wisconsin and the Oshkosh Summer String Program.

Mr. Babbitt has been an instructor with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music since 1994 in bass, theory and music history.

Programs

Progressions

Progressions Viola Instructor Miguel Barrenechea is a violist and violinist from Brazil. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), achieving his bachelor’s degree in music performance in 2021. He performed with groups such as UNIRIO Symphony Orchestra, the UNIRIO Baroque Orchestra, and the string orchestra Camerata Laranjeiras.

Miguel continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), where he obtained his master’s degree in string pedagogy. There, he had the privilege of studying with names such as Bernard Zinck, Darcy Drexler, Jamie Hofman, and Claudia Lasareff-Minoroff. At UWM, he performed with the UWM Symphony Orchestra, the UWM Community Orchestra, and several chamber groups, including the Cantilena Quartet.

In addition, Miguel is the orchestra teacher at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee.

Coming soon.

Programs

Progressions

MYSO alumna Sonora Brusubardis has been a coach for MYSO’s String Orchestra North for the last five years. In addition to her role as a MYSO coach, she is a violin instructor for MYSO’s Progressions Program and the organization’s Community Artists Coordinator. In 2018, Sonora became certified to teach Suzuki violin and viola, and in 2020, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in violin and viola performance. She currently has a studio in the Summit area teaching violin, viola, and beginner piano to students of all ages.

Programs

String Orchestra

Progressions

Progressions Cello Instructor Viktor Brusubardis began studying the cello at the age of eleven. He joined the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2007. During his time at MYSO he was a winner of the String Orchestra and Sinfonia concerto competitions and was honorable mention in both the Philharmonia and Senior Symphony competitions. Viktor was named honorable mention in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Auditions in 2013 and was a semi-finalist in 2014. In addition, in 2014, he was winner of the Wisconsin Philharmonic Shining Stars Concerto Competition. In 2017, Viktor was a winner in the UW- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and in 2018, the winner of the Concord Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition. He has studied with Janet Marshall, Adrien Zitoun, and Dr. Stefan Kartman. A recipient of the UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic 4-year tuition scholarship, Viktor received his degree in cello performance from the UW-Milwaukee in 2018.

Prelude Wind Ensemble Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor Mary Burczyk is recently retired after teaching music for 38 years in Wisconsin public schools. Mrs. Burczyk earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from UW-Madison, a Master of Music Education degree from UW-Milwaukee, a Masters in Computers in Education degree from Lesley College, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She serves as the adjunct clarinet teacher for Concordia University and is an adjudicator for Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA). She worked with the WSMA State Honors Music Project at both middle and high school levels as clarinet coach, low woodwinds coach, band coordinator, and high school honors chair. She performs with the Lakeshore Symphonic Band and teaches private lessons.

Progressions Director Tiffany Chang was most recently an orchestra teacher in the Wauwatosa School District, and prior to that, taught orchestra in the school district of Beloit, Wisconsin. Ms. Chang received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree at the UW-Madison and is certified to teach instrumental music. She has played in a variety of groups, including the Beloit-Janesville Symphony, Manitowoc Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, the Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra and has served as coordinator and violin coach for WSMA Honors Orchestra.

Programs

Progressions

Prelude Wind Ensemble Director Connie Fellows has been sharing the joy and excitement of music education and performance with beginner and intermediate band students for more than 35 years. Most recently, she has developed a strong and enthusiastic instrumental music program in four area Catholic Schools, including Holy Apostles in New Berlin, St. Anthony on the Lake in Pewaukee, St. Charles in Hartland, and St. Jerome School in Oconomowoc.

Connie and her husband, Mike Krofta, met in MYSO when it was MFY, and her children, Ryan and Erin, played their string and brass instruments in many of the MYSO performing groups. Connie and Mike are excited to be back at MYSO, team teaching the Prelude Wind Ensemble. A highlight of Connie’s MFY/MYSO career was the tour to Aberdeen, Scotland, for the Aberdeen International Orchestra Festival.  She was honored to be chosen to perform in the International Orchestra with students from all over the world.  She was the only one in her trumpet section that spoke English, but it didn’t matter; the conductor didn’t speak English either. Music truly is the universal language!

Mrs. Fellows received her Bachelor of Music Performance and Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master of Music degree from the University of Akron. While at Akron, Connie performed with the University of Akron Faculty Brass Quintet and area professional orchestras.  She was the adjunct trumpet teacher and faculty brass quintet member at Youngstown State University in Ohio. She has performed with the Akron Symphony, Canton Symphony, Manchester Symphony, Cleveland Ballet Orchestra, and Cleveland Women’s Orchestra. As a member of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra (GBSO) for 20+ years, she even played Star Spangled Banner at a Green Bay Packers Game with the GBSO Brass Section. Connie was honored to receive the 2019 Civic Music Association of Milwaukee’s Instrumental Music Education Award for teaching excellence. In addition to her work as a music educator and performer, Connie is very active in her small Presbyterian church as the choir director and mission council chair.

Mrs. Fellows is excited to have the opportunity, through MYSO and its many benefactors, to bring the joy and excitement of music education and performance to students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument. Learning and understanding music is a life long skill that can bring joy and beauty to one’s life. What an honor it is to have this moment to work with each of these young, creative, and eager students.

Programs

Prelude Wind Ensemble

Prior to moving to Milwaukee, Prelude Wind Ensemble Percussion Instructor Ben Haimann completed his Master’s degree in music performance at the University of South Carolina. He received degrees in music education and music performance from The Ohio State University in 2016 and 2017, respectively. A native of Lombard, Illinois, Ben began his musical studies at age nine playing drum set and taking private percussion lessons. During the summers of 2014 and 2015, he served as the teaching assistant and counselor for the instrumental music program at The North Carolina Governor’s School East where he coached the percussion ensemble and spent time conducting the wind ensemble. In 2016 and 2017, Ben was the front ensemble instructor with the Grove City High School Marching Band, which included a trip to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. While studying at Ohio State, he was awarded the prestigious Presser Foundation Scholarship. Ben served as a graduate assistant for the University of South Carolina percussion studio and was the percussionist for the Spark Collective, a graduate quintet focusing on community engagement through music. Ben was fortunate enough to win the concerto competition at the University of South Carolina in 2018 and performed Kevin Puts’ Marimba Concerto No. 1 with the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra in 2019. In his free time, Ben enjoys practicing marimba, making coffee, and hanging out with his dog, Lila.

Prelude Wind Ensemble French horn instructor Kelly Hofman has been teaching professionally since 2001. Her students have ranged from beginning to advanced college levels, ages 7 through adult. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Music degree from New England Conservatory and an Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and is an alum of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Her primary teachers were Ted Thayer, Dick Mackey, and Gail Williams. She hopes to carry down the legacy of these great teachers to her own students.

In addition to working with the MYSO students, Kelly currently teaches private lessons at her home studio in Whitefish Bay, WI, and at Falls Baptist Academy and College of Ministry in Menomonee Falls, WI. During the summers, she performs and teaches at Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC.

Kelly also maintains an active performing career. She is currently Principal horn of the Wisconsin Philharmonic, and a member of the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Festival City Symphony, and Lake County Symphony Orchestra. She is also a substitute musician with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Ms. Hofman has performed Mozart’s First Horn Concerto, Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds, Strauss’ First Horn Concerto, and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings.

Born in Albuquerque, NM, Progressions Viola Instructor Freya Irani began to play the violin at age 4 and the viola at the age of 13. Her string quartet at the New England Conservatory garnered recognition as a 2017-18 Honors Ensemble, where they made their Jordan Hall recital debut in May 2018. Additionally, as a chamber musician, she won the Bronze Medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Junior Division 2016, the 2nd Prize Laureate in the inaugural M-Prize Chamber Music Competition Junior Division 2016, and 2nd place at the A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Chamber Competition with Quartet Vibrante. With Quartet Étoile, she has been named the Overall Winner and Strings and Piano category winner of the 2015 Midwest Young Artist’s Discover National Chamber Competition. She has also won 1st place at the Rembrandt Chamber Players High School Chamber Music Competition and has received recognition as a Rembrandt Young Artist 2015. In addition, her group placed as a Semifinalist in the Junior Division of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition 2015 and was invited to perform at Pianoforte’s “Playful Talk” with pianist Yana Reznik. They performed as guest artists with the Northbrook Symphony in their 2015-16 season.

She has been named a 2017 National YoungArts Honorable Mention Winner. As a soloist, she has received honorable mention in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Stars of Tomorrow Competition, Madison Symphony Bolz Young Artist Competition, and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Young Artists Competition.

Freya has had the honor to concertize in esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Lincoln Center, Northwestern University’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, and Chicago’s PianoForte Studios, among others. She has been privileged to participate in masterclasses with Ettore Causa, Robert deMaine, Yizhak Schotten, Helen Callus, Tom Rosenberg, Stephen Wyrczynski, Peter Slowik, James Dunham, and the Ying Quartet. Additionally, she has received instruction from members of the Cleveland, Orpheus, Ariel, Borromeo, Parker, Dover, Cavani, Tokyo, and Vermeer Quartets. She has performed in the Czech Republic, Mexico, United States, and Germany.

Freya completed her Bachelor of Music degree with Prof. Hartmut Rohde at the University of Arts in Berlin.

Currently, Freya is a violist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, among other orchestras.

Freya’s greatest inspiration outside of music is nature and the outdoors. She believes that being involved in musical communities brings joy to young people’s lives, allowing them to express themselves, make close friends, and form lasting connections. Learning music at a young age provides children with experiences they will never forget and teaches vital life skills such as self-discipline, collaboration, and dedication.

Programs

Progressions

Prelude Wind Ensemble Director Michael R. Krofta recently retired as director of instrumental music at Oconomowoc High School. His 37 years teaching public and private schools included teaching in Wisconsin and Ohio. His past duties include conductor of the nationally-acclaimed Oconomowoc High School Wind Symphony, as well as director of the Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles, and Jazz Combo. Mr. Krofta is past Jazz Chairperson for the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and Director of Jazz Studies at Marquette University (2003 – 2006). He is currently the band director at St. Anthony in Pewaukee, St. Charles in Hartland, and Holy Apostles in New Berlin.

Prior to his work in Oconomowoc, Mr. Krofta was the Marching Band Director at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as Director of Bands at River Valley High School in Spring Green. Under his direction, Mr. Krofta’s ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings in many music festivals throughout the United States.

Under Mr. Krofta’s direction, the Oconomowoc Wind Symphony has performed numerous times at the Bands of America/Music For All National Concert Band Festival. The Wind Symphony was also selected to perform numerous times at the Wisconsin State Music Convention and the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Administrators. Mr. Krofta was selected for the 2016 Symphonic Bands & Orchestras (SBO) National Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make A Difference,” the 2017 Phi Beta Mu- Wisconsin Band Master of the Year Award, and received the “Citation of Excellence” from the National Band Association three times for his teaching excellence, and achievements and contributions to concert bands.

Michael R. Krofta completed his Masters Degree in Music Education at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio with a conducting emphasis, studying with Craig Kirchhoff.  Mr. Krofta’s undergraduate work was completed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and also studied at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He was a trumpet soloist with both the Indiana Hoosier Marching Band (Ray Cramer, director) and the Wisconsin Marching Band (Michael Leckrone, director).

As a professional trumpeter since high school, Mike has had many amazing musical trumpet performance experiences–in orchestras, big bands, backing up rock bands, in parades, and at Brewers and Packers Games. He has performed professionally with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Temptations, the Manhattan Transfer, Ice Capades Show, the Rodeo Circus Show, and toured with the Lawrence Welk All Stars and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

Mr. Krofta is a member of The National Band Association (NBA), The American School Band Directors National Association (ASBDNA), The National Association for Music Education (NAfME), The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), and the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.

Mike and his wife Connie first met in MFY/MYSO in the Senior Symphony trumpet section. Returning to MYSO as co-directors of the Prelude Wind Ensemble is coming full circle. They couldn’t be more excited to join the MYSO staff to direct the Prelude Wind Ensemble program to share the gift of music with the students of today. Mike’s goal is to give every child the opportunity to excel in music–and experience the joy of music as a form of expression as he has.

Programs

Prelude Wind Ensemble

Manuel Landin Lopez was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Violin Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee studying under Dr. Bernard Zinck. At the age of 6, Manuel began his musical studies at the Latino Arts Strings Program based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he received private instruction with the program’s director, Dinorah Marquez, learning both mariachi and classical music. Manuel continued his education at Marquette University High School studying violin with Jerome Franke, former Concertmaster Emeritus of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

A MYSO alum, he performed in Vienna and Budapest with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2015; and toured California with the Latino Arts Strings Program in 2016. As a high school musician, he participated in Sphinx Performance Academy in the summers of 2012 to 2015, and in the WSMA High School Honors Orchestra from 2013-2016.

As a soloist, Manuel was awarded First Place in the Menomonee Falls 2017 Young Artist Competition, performing the final movement of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto in A minor.

An active performer, Manuel is a member of a student-led mariachi group called Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee. He was featured on “Buenaventura,” a Grammy-nominated album by La Santa Cecilia. Manuel’s musical tastes are diverse, and he is passionate about continuing to explore various genres of Latin music, including Mariachi, Latin Jazz, Tango, and classical music written by Latin American composers as part of his future professional career. He takes pride in having developed over the years a distinctive and personal identity shaped by his musical and artistic exploration.

Programs

Progressions

Mallory Merkel is currently Director of Instrumental Music at Slinger Middle School located in Slinger, Wisconsin, serving approximately 350 band students in grades six through eight. Previously, she taught in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, serving a range of students in elementary music, beginning and intermediate instrumental music, marching band, and self-contained music classes for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. She also held instrumental music director positions in the Stone Bank School District, Grafton School District, School District of Waukesha, and Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Mrs. Merkel is an active musician in the state of Wisconsin and regularly performs on clarinet with a wide range of ensembles. She is principal clarinet in Blaskapelle Milwaukee, an 18-piece European-style wind ensemble; a member of Milwaukee Alpenbläser, a 7-piece European-folk ensemble; and a member of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band (WASB), a full symphonic band and 2017 recipient of the Studler Silver Scroll Award. As a multiple woodwind specialist, Mrs. Merkel has served as a clinician for students ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

Having studied at Carroll University and Kent State University, Mrs. Merkel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Music Education, respectively. Her writings A Band Director Discussion About Woodwind Fundamentals, Method Book Recommendations, Equipment and More; For Those Who Teach, And Also Do! Balancing A Teaching and Performance Career; and Teaching Music to Students With Special Needs: Strategies for Teaching an Adaptive Music Class have been featured by DANSR and Vandoren, USA where she serves as a JUNO Ambassador.

An extremely versatile recitalist, orchestral collaborator, and teacher, Prelude Wind Ensemble flute instructor Jenifer Minor began her musical studies at the age of two. A MYSO alumna, she has been the recipient of several notable recognitions throughout her career, including the Gib Weigel Scholarship and the Wisconsin Philharmonic Scholarship and has performed both as a soloist and as a chamber collaborator throughout the country.

In 2015, Jenifer made her operatic debut in partnership with Joseph Colaneri (Metropolitan Opera) and the Mannes Orchestra and instantly discovered a passion for performing music in a pit. Jenifer has also collaborated with the Mannes American Composers Ensemble under David Fulmer as well as the International Contemporary Ensemble. She has performed in notable locations such as Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and internationally at Musikverein.

Adept at dipping her toes in other genres, Jenifer collaborated with Richard Boukas of The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2019 to perform a transcribed series of Brazilian Choro tunes for small ensemble. She has studied the nuances of the Choro genre as well as other improvisatory styles and rhythm with Keith Underwood and Hadar Noiberg.

Equally gifted as a teacher, Jenifer approaches her students with a holistic, whole-body approach. Her teaching experience in New York City spanned work at the Mannes School of Music College Preparatory program as well as maintaining her own studio while she resided there. She is a proponent of approaches such as the Alexander Technique, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and other full-body integration techniques, and has over two decades of experience in studying these methods.

Jenifer also holds a teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education from the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute in Milwaukee. This has brought into focus her own personal teaching philosophy to unite her passion of artistry and working with children in a universal style.

Jenifer earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 2015 from the University of Minnesota’s School of Music and her Master’s degree in orchestral performance and pedagogy from The Mannes School of Music in 2019. She has studied most closely with Immanuel Davis, Keith Underwood, and Judith Mendenhall.

Jenifer currently maintains a studio just outside of Milwaukee, and enjoys doing yoga, hiking, and freelancing in the metro Milwaukee area.

Bio coming soon.

Progressions Cello Instructor Rayden Vaughan Montes is currently studying cello performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Dr. Stefan Kartman. He was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, where he began studying cello at age 10. He had a patent love for performing at a young age; it was not uncommon to find him playing for the class when the curriculum allowed it during his primary and secondary education years.

After moving to Milwaukee in 2015, Rayden attended Milwaukee High School of the Arts as a music major. Soon after, he began arranging, composing, recording, and producing his own music. His first composition was performed at a statewide conference in front of hundreds of students and teachers, receiving high praise by vote and standing ovation. He then was asked to write original music for theatrical productions and films and has plans to continue arranging and composing after completing his cello studies.

Rayden graduated from Milwaukee High School of the Arts and The Cello Institute of Milwaukee in 2018. After graduation, he has enjoyed studying and performing at UW-Milwaukee with peers and colleagues in various chamber and large ensembles. He has also played in symphony and pit orchestras across the state and has been hired for private events throughout Wisconsin as a soloist and as a member of various groups.

Rayden is very excited to begin his first year of teaching as Progressions Cello Instructor. He hopes to share the gift of music with his students as the teachers in his life have so generously shared with him.

Progressions Bass Instructor Paris Myers joined the Milwaukee Symphony bass section in 2022. Born into a musical family, he began learning Suzuki Bass at age seven under the tutelage of Dr. Dan Swaim. Paris went on to study at The Juilliard School with Eugene Levinson where he received a Bachelors degree in 2018. He continued his studies at The Juilliard School with Timothy Cobb, receiving a Master’s degree in 2020. He has performed with many ensembles including Albany Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and New World Symphony. He has also participated in music festivals including National Repertory Orchestra and Pacific Music Festival. Paris is a certified Suzuki Bass teacher and loves teaching and mentoring young aspiring bassists.

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.

Prelude Wind Ensemble Bassoon Instructor Marta Troicki has extensive experience as a solo, chamber and orchestral musician, which has taken her to many places in the United States and around the world. Her musical journey started in her native Poland and continued in New York where she enjoyed performing with New York Choral Society Orchestra, Queensborough Symphony Orchestra, and Five: a Woodwind Quintet.

She has performed at numerous locations, including the Carnegie Music Hall in New York City, with the Arab Emirates Philharmonic Orchestra in Dubai and recently in Bangkok, Thailand. She has held a principal bassoon position with Pittsburgh Live Chamber Orchestra, among others. She is an active soloist who has performed numerous times with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra in Minneapolis. Outside of performing as a soloist and recitalist, Marta is an active chamber musician; she is the founder and director of Sonora Winds, an all women chamber ensemble.

Marta holds Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Hofstra University in New York, a Master of Music Degree from the Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York, an Artist Diploma Degree from the F. Chopin Conservatory of Music in Warsaw, Poland, and Doctor Degree in bassoon performance from the University of Minnesota School of Music. Marta’s principal teachers include John Miller Jr., Nancy Goeres, Donald MacCourt, Boguslaw Gadawski, and Norbert Nielubowski.

Prelude Wind Ensemble Trumpet Instructor Michael Zens has served the young people of Wisconsin as a music educator since 2004, and has had the chance to teach students at every level from elementary school through university. Ensembles under his direction have been invited to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Conference four times, and have presented world or Wisconsin premieres of new music by composers including Steve Danyew, James Mobberley, Mark J. Connor, and John Mackey.

In addition to his work teaching music in public schools, Mr. Zens has previously served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Lakeshore Symphonic Band in Cedarburg, WI, and the Associate Conductor of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band. He has also served on the faculty of the Wind and Percussion Institute at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. He studied music education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with additional work at Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota.

Mr. Zens resides in Hales Corners, WI with his wife, a four-year-old kindergarten teacher, his daughter, who plays violin in MYSO’s String Orchestra South, and his son, who loves trucks.