UW Madison's Professional

Entertainment Company

Robin Whitty-Novotny

Artistic Director/ Producer

Robin Whitty-Novotny has a long history with the Wisconsin Singers program having performed in the troupe as an undergraduate at the UW and serving as Artistic Director/ Producer since 1990. Robin has her master’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in voice and travels extensively as an adjudicator for choral and show choir competitions. She has worked to build the Singers program into a comprehensive music experience that values professionalism and service. Robin is married to Singers alum, Chris Novotny, is a proud mom of Megan, Katie, and Patrick, and is excited to be a new grandmother to grandson, Reiter.

Chad Schiro

Choreographer

Chad served as Assistant Choreographer of the first ever Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie staring John Stamos and Bill Irwin. His choreography credits include the Disney film Old Dogs with John Travolta and Robin Williams, The 2012 Winter Ball for The School Of American Ballet at Lincoln Center, productions in the New York Fringe Festival, off-Broadway at Urban Stages and Ars Nova. He was Associate Choreographer of the Broadway productions of Urban Cowboy (2003 Tony Nomination/Best Choreography, Melinda Roy), Master Harold and The Boys, Showboat In Concert at Carnegie Hall and City Center's revival of Can Can starring Patti LuPone. He has performed on Broadway, at The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, The Cannes Film Festival, and in Broadway national tours across the United States. TV and Film credits include Sex and The City, Saturday Night Live, The Producers feature film and national commercials for Campbell's Soup, EBay, and Pontiac. Chad's Sketch-And-Dance Odyssey Just Jump! played to sold out audiences in New York and was the recipient of The Ars Nova Encore Award. Thanks to Robin and all of the Singers EVER! Extra special thanks to Kelly Jacobs!!!

Chris Novotny

Director of Business Operations

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

Kelly Jacobs

Assistant Choreographer

Kelly Jacobs is thrilled to be back with the Singers after being a proud member of the troupe from ’95-’98! A native of Wausau & former dancer with Jazzworks Dance Company of Madison, Kelly has performed all over the world from Tokyo Disney to Holland America Cruiselines. For the last 4 years, she has been with the Broadway & 1st national touring productions of Mary Poppins (dance capt./swing). Other favorite credits: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall); Mame (Kennedy Center); Camelot with Robert Goulet (Atlanta TOTS); Tommy (Pittsburgh CLO); Fame (Switzerland). She is very grateful to Chad & Robin for this opportunity and sends her love to her supportive family & to Adam!

Ben Bram

Arranger

Ben Bram (@thebenbram) is a Los Angeles-based arranger, music director, producer, and educator. He has worked musically behind the scenes of The Sing-Off, Glee, The Voice, Modern Family, and Pitch Perfect, and has also arranged/produced recordings with a cappella groups The SoCal VoCals, The Backbeats, and the YellowJackets. In addition, he is currently serving as producer, arranger, and tour manager for Sing-Off champions Pentatonix. Despite these commitments, he still loves arranging for groups everywhere! You can find him at www.thebenbram.com.

Robert Dietz

Arranger

Robert Dietz is a graduate of Ithaca College in upstate New York where he received a dual degree in music and business. He began his music career in high school when he founded the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) winning male quintet, Ascending Height. At Ithaca, Robert was the director of the Ithaca College Men’s Chorus (Ithacappella) – twice advancing with the group to the finals of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. Since graduating from Ithaca, Robert has earned a graduate certificate in music composition and production from the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney, NSW. Most recently, Robert was a vocal arranger and coach for The Sing-Off on NBC. He also maintains a web-based business for a arranging, production, and writing music in all styles at www.human-feedback.com.

Lauren Ogden

Band Director

Lauren is a music educator with six years of experience as a high school band director in the public schools of Texas. Her proudest moment as a teacher occurred when her rock band students wrote and performed a combined rock and rap song at their graduation ceremony. At UW-Madison, Lauren is working towards a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in the Area of Music Education. Her research interests include instrumental music education, culturally relevant pedagogy and ethnomusicology.