About Us
Stephan Wucherer joined the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Program as the Director of the Philharmonia the summer prior to its first season in fall of 2014. He is currently part of 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 new Philharmonia Conductor (as of August 1, 2023). 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. Since August 2022, he also is the CWSO Education and Outreach Coordinator and has helped plan the Dorothy Vetter Memorial Concerts for 4th Graders featuring Carnegie Hall’s Link Up Curriculum. 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 Choir Accompanist at 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, Wisconsin Rapids City Band, 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 cat Ellie by their side.
Jodi Engum Kryshak has been the Program Coordinator of the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program since its inception 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 (CWYSOP brass section volunteer & second trombone in CWSO) enjoy attending and participating in area arts events.
Kiara Menzia has been the Program Assistant since September 2022 and will be in this role until she student teaches in Spring of 2024. Kiara is studying Instrumental Music Education, Majoring in Flute Performance. This position is traditionally a UWSP Music Education Major.
Lyssa Edwards will be our Spring 2024 Program Assistant. 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.
Percussion Managers/Student Mentors: Matthew McEwen, Colton Maichle & Helaina Wills
Pictured: Philharmonia Conductor Austin Bolden, Program Coordinator Jodi Engum Kryshak and Music Director Steve Wucherer
