Executive Producer

Abby is a proud Singers alumna who has played several roles within the Singers organization since joining as an undergraduate singer/dancer. After graduation, Abby performed in various aspects of entertainment ranging from live bands and theme park productions to private hire commissions, music direction, and festivals. She has worked in higher education at UW-Madison since 2016 and is beginning her fifth full season as Executive Producer for Wisconsin Singers. Abby is honored to be carrying on the program’s 57-year tradition of excellence, and she hopes to inspire each student to go out into the world and share their talents both on and off the stage.

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.

Orchestrator and Instrumental Specialist

Jenna Mood is excited to be back writing music and working with 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 recently started Home Star Show Choirs, the premiere show choir for homeschooled kids in the Madison area, where she acts as director, arranger, and choreographer. 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.

Assistant Choreographer

Atzie is excited to return to the Wisconsin Singers this season as the Assistant Choreographer. Atzie brings experience from 3 years of singing and dancing with the Wisconsin Singers when she was a student herself, in addition to 18 years of training in various competitive dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, modern, heels, musical theater, African dance, salsa, and comedic burlesque. Atzie is now a project manager at Epic Systems, where she has worked for the past 6 years. Atzie recently relocated from Bristol, England – home of Epic’s international headquarters – to Boulder, Colorado. In her free time, she continues to showcase her skills in community theater productions and explore physical skills such as yoga, aerial silks, German wheel, aerial hoop, and basic acrobatics.

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.