About Us
Stephan Wucherer joined the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony as the Director of the Philharmonia the summer prior to its first season in fall of 2014. He is currently part the new SPASH Orchestra Director and was a part of the orchestra staff for the Howard-Suamico School District. Before that he has taught at Lineville Intermediate School, and Bay Port High School as Director of the String Orchestras. Prior to his work in Howard-Suamico, Mr. Wucherer taught with the Oshkosh Area School District for ten years as a Middle School Orchestra Director and spent several years as the Coordinator for the Elementary Strings Program. For the past 15 years, he has also directed groups at the Rock Infused Orchestra String camp in Neenah acting as both conductor and cello coach, with a focus on non-traditional music.
Mr. Wucherer attended UW-Oshkosh for his Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance and went on to attend Butler University in Indianapolis for his Master’s of Music. He also holds a Master’s of Education from Marian University in Fond du Lac. As a performer Mr. Wucherer has a wide resume over nearly 30 years, performing with many orchestras throughout the state including the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, The Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, and The Water City Chamber Orchestra and others. Mr. Wucherer also spent three years as the Director of the Waupaca Area Orchestra, giving numerous performances at the Gerold Opera House in Weyauwega.
Austin Bolden is the Philharmonia Conductor. Austin has been teaching at Fond du Lac High School since 2019, where he leads three Orchestras, Jazz II, and teaches a Music Technology class. He has also been the bass and rhythm section coach for Rock Infused Orchestra since 2017 and this year became the Double Bass Coach for the Wisconsin State Honors Orchestra. He frequently performs in various musical groups around the Fox Valley area including Meade Street Collective (which received two WAMI nominations); Jazz for 90’s Kids, and Ant’s Marching. These groups have also performed at Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.
Mr. Bolden was a member of the Kids from Wisconsin from 2012-2013 playing both bass and guitar with the troupe. He studied in Boston at Berklee College of Music for two and a half years before finishing up his degrees at UW-Stevens Point for Instrumental Music Education and Jazz Studies. He was also principal double bass of the UWSP Orchestra and has played with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. He has studied under Lincoln Goines, John Patitucci, Whit Browne, Oscar Stagnaro, Anthony Vitti, Danny Morris, Mathew Buchman, and David Story.
Christian Stromley has recently (as of 2023) taken over the main programming of the Program. As the Education Programs Manager for CWSO, he oversees and plans the Dorothy Vetter Memorial Education Concerts for 4th Grade Students featuring Carnegie Hall's Link Up Curriculum as well as plans other educational outreach events for the organization. Christian has been with CWSO since July of 2022. He studied Music (Organ Performance) at Concordia University, St. Paul, where he studied with Dr. Kristina Langlois, Dr. David Mennicke, and Dr. Nathan Kennedy. His passion for music extends into his other roles, Instructor of Keyboard Studies at the St. Cecilia Studio of Music, and Choral Accompanist and Organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Christian has lived in Moorhead MN and St. Paul MN, where he was always active in music there, accompanying, substituting, and playing in ensembles. He also plays with the Swing Doctors, and he and his wife sing in the Wisconsin Rapids Area Community Choir. Most of his free time, besides being involved in many musical ensembles, he spends with his wife, Mary, reading or watching movies, with their cats, Ellie and Hazel by their side.
Jodi Engum Kryshak was the founding Program Coordinator of the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program (2014-2024) and has an extensive background in arts management and non-profit leadership. She holds a Bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens Point in Art and Music. She served as Executive Director of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years, as well as Executive Director of the Jensen Community Center, Riverfront Jazz Festival, and was the founding Executive Director of the Portage County Arts Alliance. She has served on many boards of directors related to arts, education, and environmental causes. She and her husband Mark Kryshak (CWYSO brass section volunteer & second trombone in CWSO) enjoy attending and participating in area arts events.
The Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra is eternally grateful for Jodi's tireless work and countless hours to keep this program thriving for 10 years through many challenges and changes. In the transition to CWSO, Jodi offered her expertise and her services for an entire year to ensure a smooth transition and ensure CWYSOP's continued success. CWYSOP will truly live on to be her legacy.
Lyssa Edwards is the Fall 2024 UWSP Student Program Assistant/Student Mentor. Lyssa is studying Music, Majoring in Flute Performance. The following 24-25 Academic Year she will be studying for her Masters in Music Education, Majoring in Studio Pedagogy.
Pictured: Philharmonia Conductor Austin Bolden, Founding Program Coordinator Jodi Engum Kryshak, and Music Director Steve Wucherer.
