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.
Derek Carden joined the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra as director of the Philharmonia in the spring of 2025. Mr. Carden is currently the orchestra and jazz band teacher at Ben Franklin Junior High in Stevens Point. Derek studied contemporary music at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN and holds a Bachelor of arts and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Before beginning his career in music education, Derek worked professionally playing upright and electric bass, performing and recording in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as four year performing on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Christian Stromley oversees 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 holds a Bachelor's degree in Music, Organ Performance from 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.
Alaina Kawleski is the Spring 2025 Program Assistant/Student Mentor. Alaina is studying Music, majoring in Flute Performance.
