Name: Tony Kading Role: Bass Trombone Instrument: Getzen 747 Trombone Favorite Main Street Song: Orange Colored Sky It took a while but Tony Kading finally made it to the “perfect instrument”, the trombone. Tony entered the musical world with a Tuba as a freshman at Racine Horlick High School, but his appreciation for Jazz put a Trumpet in his hands. He played Tuba in concert ensembles and Trumpet in jazz ensembles through high school and college at University of Wisconsin Whitewater. It was in college that Steve Wiest introduced Tony to the trombone. Though at the time Trombone was just a toy, and Tony continued to play lead Trumpet in Whitewaters Jazz Bands. It wasn’t until he was given the opportunity to play with Main Street that Tony took the Trombone seriously and saw what he has been missing all these years, a slide. Tony likes to study composition and arranging in many styles, and occasionally likes to put his studies to use and compose or arrange something himself. If he can grease the joints enough so they swing you may hear one or two of these attempts played by Main Street. Tony is currently living in Dodgeville WI with his lovely wife Laurel and studying Tuba, Trumpet, and of course Trombone at the University of Wisconsin Platteville to obtain his certification to teach Music.

Name: Lisa Lichter Role: 3rd Trombone Instrument: Getzen 747 Trombone Favorite Main Street Song: The Chicken Lisa graduated from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and is currently working on a Masters degree in Conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. She is a band/orchestra teacher at North Lake School, in Northwestern Waukesha County. Lisa gives private lessons in the Mukwonago/Waterford areas and has been on the marching band staff for Mukwonago High School for the last 9 years.  She is also an active Wisconsin School Music Association adjudicator and the Associate Camp Director for the UW-Whitewater Summer Band Camps. Lisa is the current Wisconsin Music Educators Association Jazz Education chair (from 2007-2009) and is running for the position of President- Elect of the Wisconsin chapter of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE). She has been secretary of that group for the last 4 years. She is also in the running for the Midwest regional coordinator for the national chapter of IAJE. Lisa has always enjoyed jazz music – ever since her parents took her to concerts when she was little. Lisa went to study with Steve Wiest at UW- Whitewater, and now plays with several groups, including Swing Nouveau out of Milwaukee, the Jack Ferrina Band out of Janesville, and the Jazz Express out of Waukesha (who took Lisa on their tour of London in 2005). When not involved with music, Lisa likes to travel, analyze the weather (she’s a trained storm spotter), and hang out with her wonderful husband of 10 months.

Name: Gary Hellenbrand Role: 1st Tenor Saxophone Instrument: Tenor Saxophone Favorite Main Street Song: TBD Gary Hellenbrand is a Tenor Sax player within the Main Street organization.  He's been playing sax ever since his mom said "choose an instrument, trumpet or saxophone!!"  His 12 year old brain couldn't fathom being a lowly brass player, so he chose the lesser of two evils.  Gary was involved in Waterloo High School's renowned band program, participating in concert, pep, jazz, and combo ensembles, all the way through to his graduating year.   After a 5 year hiatus, Gary again picked up his axe with the Main Street Band, and has been enjoying every minute.  He lives a simple country life with his soon-to-be wife Jessica on a 75 acre farm near Cambridge. Together, they have raised two Beagles, and a lot of hell.  Gary is an Aries who enjoys long walks on the beach, cheap beer, and independent thought.

Name : David Stedman Role : 2nd Trombone Instrument : Holton Trombone Favorite Main Street Song: Zuit Suit Riot David is one of the band’s “Kings of Blat”, as the trombone section is known, playing 2nd .  Playing trombone has given him more opportunities to play Jazz Music then the Tuba ever will which was his main instrument in Undergraduate him Studies. David started playing trumpet in the 5th grade and eventually switched to Tuba in 6th grade where he has played it for the passed 36 years. David earned a Bachelor Of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 1984 and a Masters of Music Education Degree from the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago Il. in 1994.  David is a Security Guard at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wi. As well at a Projectionist for AGT Enterprises and Star Cinema in Johnson Creek.   He also works part time for Securitas Secuity Services and Briggs and Stratton in Jefferson as a Security Graud.   Prior to that he was one of the band directors for the School District of Fort Atkinson for 11years, band director for the Cambridge Public School for 8 years and director of bands for the Port Edwards School District for 3 years.  David is also very active in the Fort Atkinson Community Theatre, the Jefferson Council for the Performing Arts, The Watertown Community Theatre and the Phoenix Players also of Watertown. He is very glad to be a part of the group and thanks his lovely wife Cheryl for allowing him time to perform with Mainstreet. Cheryl and David have been married for 23 year and make their home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. with their two dogs Mia and Lucy.

Name: Dennis Baker Role: 1st Alto Saxophone Instrument: Alto Saxophone Favorite Artists: Paul Desmond, Von Freeman, Van Morrison, Johnny Hodges, Eddie Harris, Bob Dylan Favorite Song: I Remember Clifford Dennis has been playing the sax as far back as he can remember....maybe two or three weeks, really more like 40 years! He's played in high school band, college jazz band and in his high school's band, under the expert and dilligent direction of Kelly Klund. He's been teaching HS chemistry and biotech for 25 years, most of those in Waterloo, WI. His biggest fans are his wonderful wife, Cathy and three boys: Dylan (21), Lennon (19) and Isaac (17), who reside in the back woods somewhere near Cambridge, WI.

Name: Mike Russo Role: 1st Trombone Instrument: 1942 Old Super "Pea-Shooter" Favorite Main Street Song: Someone to Watch Over Me Mike Russo is one of the band’s trombonists and charter members.  He started playing trombone in the 5th grade and eventually made it to first chair as a freshman in high school; auditioning and playing in what seemed like huge district and regional bands. Even though he loved to play, his life took him elsewhere, through college and a career at Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, NY, where he met JoAnne, married her, and proceeded to have Greg, Jake and Alyssa. During those years, the trombone was a distant memory.  It wasn't even available to toot now and again, as he left it back home in Pennsylvania.  Too bad he missed those playing-years, but life was busy enough. It wasn’t until 1995, 18 years after last playing, that he picked up the trombone again to play with the Lake Mills City Band here in Wisconsin.  He was invited to play in musicals and then had an opportunity (along with Harold van Ommeren) to play with a seasonal big band called Jefferson County Swing Band, as well as an earlier, local jazz band called Classic Swing; and then the historic start of the big band you enjoy today called Main Street. Mike still lives in Lake Mills and works in Deerfield,WI for a small medical equipment manufacturer (compared to the bigger one in the area).  Only one of the kids is still in High School in her junior year, and the oldest back safely from Iraq to start a life in the US, but maybe not in Wisconsin.  The middle child, Jake, ever the academic, is in his 2nd year at Eau Claire studying English and Philosophy; and finally wife and friend JoAnne enjoying a breath of fresh air in teaching 3rd grade for the first time. With a new and invigorated group, Mike is practicing more than ever and enjoying the sound of a full and talented trombone section. Hope to see you out on the dance floor in the upcoming months!

Name: Tony Sieg Role: 2nd Alto Saxophone Instrument: Yamaha YAS82ZU Unlaquered Alto Saxophone Favorite Main Street Song: Funky Cha Cha Tony has been playing saxophone for over 18 years and is a recent addition to the best sax section in southern WI. He has a BA in Music from UW-Eau Claire and a minor in Marketing. He grew up on a farm in Osseo, WI and is currently living in Lake Mills, WI. Tony is married to his beautiful wife, Krista, who teaches in the Kettle Moraine School District. Tony works at Ward-Brodt Music in Madison, WI in the Band & Orchestra department and coordinates the School Service division. Tony has experience playing both Bari and Soprano sax, and was very excited when asled to be part of the band. Tony is a classically trained saxophonist, but big band is his favorite kind of music. Tony solos from time to time, but can never match the solo talents of 1st Alto, Denny Baker (the women love him!).

Name: Charlie Hastings Role: 2nd Alto Saxophone Instrument: Selmer Mark 7 Alto Saxophone Favorite Main Street Song: Orange Colored Skies Charlie was born in Morgantown, West Virginia where he stayed for 5 years. Then moving to Stevens Point, Wisconsin where he would start his musical career. It all started with the Cello when he was 6, then he started piano when he was 9. Then he moved to the great and majestic town of Lake Mills. There he started saxophone. Both of his parents are very musical so he has been surrounded by music all his life. His mother is a grade school music teacher and his father is a professor of music in the University of Stevens Point. Charlie is currently enrolled in Lake Mills High School where he is a junior and soon to be a senior.

Name: Kevin Koehnke Role: 3rd and 4th Trumpet and Soloist Instrument: Getzen Severinsen Trumpet Favorite Artists: Arturo Sandoval, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Charles Favorite Main Street Song: Too soon to Call Kevin Koehnke is Main Street's fill in Trumpet player. (what ever part needs to be covered) You will hear him solo periodically on arrangements when Steve needs a break. Kevin has been playing trumpet for some 20 odd years. He started playing in Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble at Ashwaubenon High school and marched 5 summers with the Northmen Drum and bugle Corps out of Green Bay. He also played Jazz while studying Civil Engineering at the University of Milwaukee where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering in 96.  He put his trumpet down for about 3 years while he did boring things like work and get a professional engineering license and about 7 years ago picked it back up and has been playing in several Jazz ensembles throughout southern Wisconsin ever since.  Kevin has also played in the Waukesha Area Symphonic band for several years with Mr. Berlyn.   He met Bill "Steady Eddie" and Harold "Sticks" last summer while playing in a pit band together in Watertown and was told they needed some help at trumpet and have had a "blast" (no pun intended) ever since.  In between gigs and rehearsals you can find him either fishing or relaxing at the cabin.

Name: Eric Lonsdale Role: Baritone Saxophone Instrument: Alto Saxophone Favorite Main Street Song: Take Five Favorite Artists: Brubeck, Bird and Diz, Cannonball, Miles, Nick Brignola, Johnny Costa, String Cheese Incident, and (painter) Salvador Dali to name a few Eric Lonsdale was born and raised in Fort Atkinson, WI.  He began playing the alto saxophone in fifth grade.  While in high school, he was a member of the marching band, as well as the jazz and wind ensembles, and won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in 1998.  He then played in the St. Norbert Jazz Ensemble for one year before transferring to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.  He attended Berklee for three years and graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Synthesis.  Soon after graduating, Eric moved to Laguna Niguel, CA where he worked numerous odd jobs while searching for a dream.  Money ran out and Eric moved back home in the fall of 2003, where he now works at his family’s pizza restaurant in Whitewater.   Eric is proud to be a member of Main Street and can’t wait to play for you!for you!for you!

Name: Bill Edington Role: 3rd Trumpet and 3rd Trombone (occasionally) Instrument: Bach Stradivarius Model 25 Large Bore Trumpet Favorite Main Street Song: Caravan and In the Mood (Keep an eye on the handsome trumpet soloist) In addition to playing with Main Street Big Band, I also play with the Yankee Dutchmen from the Watertown area, the Watertown Municipal Band and have been the principal trumpet in the Watertown Area Chamber Orchestra (WACO) since its inception 20 years ago.  Juanita, my wife, is an elementary music teacher who is the principal cellist with WACO and a singer and church adult choir director.  She and I are also active in the musical theatre life in Watertown.  Jonathan, (trumpet, piano, voice) our oldest, is double majoring in vocal music performance and education at the University of Minnesota. Lucas, (trumpet, voice) the middle child, is earning certification in a variety of aspects in the music recording, engineering and business world, also in Minneapolis.  Erin, the baby, excels at everything she attempts musically taking three instrumental solos (alto sax, soprano sax, bassoon) and one vocal solo to state festival and earning firsts on each as well as three outstanding performer recognition awards.  She will be a saxophone performance major at the University of Minnesota studying with world the renown Eugene Rousseau.  "I appreciate my fellow band members allowing me to develop my jazz side since my background is on the classical side."

Name: Harold Van Ommeren Role: Drummer Instrument: 7-piece Mapex – Orion drumset with Zildjian cymbals and various percussion toys. Favorite Main Street Song: Sing, Sing Sing Favorite Artists: Beattles and Led Zepplin Harold was born in Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands… a long time ago, and moved to the United States at the age of 10. His first memory of playing involved pots, pans and wooden spoons at the age of three.  He has been making noise ever since!  Harold has been in involved in bands since middle school. He attended South Division HS in Milwaukee and received several music awards and honors. Harold was  the first drummer to receive the Civil Service Music award. He has played in drum corp, rock, R&B, funk and community bands. More recently, he has worked with several community theatre groups in the pit orchestra as well as on stage.  The drummers who have influenced him the most  are Buddy Rich, John Bonham, and Mitch Mitchell. Harold lives in Lake Mills with his wife Deb, and 4 children, Jason, Chris, Lauren and Emma - all of whom keep music in their lives. It is with their support that he has been able to pursue this passion.  While playing in the pit for Wizard of Oz, Harold received an invitation to sit in with a local big band.  He enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to put one together himself.   In August of 2002, 7 musicians came together to form the nucleus of what is now Main Street.  He loves playing with Main Street and says,  “We Rock!”.

Name: Steve Roehm Role: 2nd Trumpet and Soloist Instrument: Bach Stradivarius Trumpet on Steroids Favorite Main Street Song: Basically Blues Steve Roehm is Main Street's 2nd Trumpet player.  You will hear him solo on a number of big band arrangements.  Steve has been playing trumpet for about 31 years.  He was first chair in his High School Concert and Jazz Bands (Lake Shore High in St. Clair Shores, MI) and played while studying Electrical Engineering at Wayne State University.  He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and received his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.  Steve has worked for General Electric for 22 years and is now part of GE Healthcare Global Technology and Medical Operation in Waukesha, WI.  He is a big jazz musician fan and jumped at the chance to play with the Main Street Big Band.  He remembers Main Street's early days when the band had about 6 members (and sounded like we needed 12 more!).  Steve is married to his beautiful wife Dawn and they have three children; Nick (Trumpet), Meg (Flute) and Jeremy (Clarinet).  Nick is in college and Meg is currently a senior in High School and very active in music and theater.  Jeremy is in the US Air Force and has recently returned from Iraq (we are proud of him!).  Steve and Dawn make their home in Waukesha, WI.  Steve is also the webmaster geek for the Main Street Big Band website.

Name: Ron Hertig Role: Bass Man Instrument: (sounds like) Schmidt Acoustic Bass c. 1975 Ron is Main Street's best (and only!) bass player.  His most important task is to keep the drummer honest and drive the rest of the band members to be the best they can be.  As the old guy in the band, he keeps the youngsters in line.  Looking “cool” is also important (he’s still working at that).   Ron has dreamed about playing bass for a lifetime and has lived out that dream for 37 years.  He is a self-taught musician who learned his craft by playing in numerous small and large groups through the years plus time in the proverbial “woodshed”.  A longstanding love of jazz and a desire to learn led to the opportunity to play with Main Street.  Things haven’t been the same since… Outside of the music world, Ron is a fairly normal family guy, with an old farmhouse and barn close to Watertown, a (thankfully) supportive wife of 25 years, three charming daughters currently attending Wisconsin universities, and a devoted dog.   He is a registered professional engineer and works in manufacturing at a local machine shop and can fix almost anything (if he feels like it).

Name: Bill Berlyn Role: Lead Trumpet Instrument: Bach Stradivarius Trumpet (Bell Size 72 ... where "Size does matter!") Favorite Main Street Song: Caravan and Oye Come Va After completing his BA in Music Education at Stevens Point, Bill pursued credits towards his Masters at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago.  He taught public school band at Minocqua Elementary for 10 years followed by parochial and private instruction in and around the Milwaukee area for the past 15 years.  Being in the area since 1990, he has played with too many groups to note here but a few of the stand outs are: Nicholas Contorno's Jazz Orchestra, Big Top Brass Circus Band, Musica Elegante Latin Ball Room (co-founder) and could be seen on top of wagons over the years at the Great Circus Parade.  Other notable groups include; B.B. Swing (founder), In The Mood, Main Street Big Band, Swing Nouveax, Big Swing Face, Dick Strauss Orchestra, Bill Sargent's Big Band, Jazz Express, Mr. Lucky's Swing Syndicate, Howard Schneider, Cream City Brick Jazz Band, Catholic Symphony Orchestra, Waukesha Area Symphonic Band and Oconomowoc Brass. Currently playing with the American Legion Band in Oconomowoc since 1991 he has been featured soloist, conductor and trumpet section leader.  Also currently playing lead with two Big Bands: In the Mood Big Band out of Milwaukee and the Main Street Big Band out of Lake Mills.  Bill was co-founder of the New Berlin Community Band and still conducts the New Berlin Jazz Players Big Band; they can be seen 1st Thursday of the month at the Seven Seas Restaurant north on Hwy 83 in Delafield.  He has played in many area churches, pit orchestras for civic as well as area High School productions and civic events.   After joining the 1st Brigade Civil War Band last year (Watertown), Bill moved to 1st Bb cornet. He still marches in the American Legion as well as the 1st Brigade.  He is a member of Waukesha Area Symphonic Band since 1998, has served on the board and is currently trumpet section leader.  Bill has played with many area Community Concert Bands as Soloist and guest conductor; Hartland Community Band, in West Allis under the direction of Henry Canitz, Milwaukee Civic Concert Band, Hartford Community Band, East Troy Community Band, as well as Oconomowoc American Legion.  Along with his son, Isaac, the two were TAPS certified by the American Legion in 2005.  Bill has been a WSMA adjudicator since 1989 and has achieved master status.   He can also be found playing Sunday mornings at his church praise orchestra in Pewaukee, Spring Creek Church! Bill places emphasis on 'fun' in fundamentals as it pertains to 'playing' your instrument; no matter what age or level! “My adults my best students” “We all need music in our lives – it lifts our soul and God gives it flight! Keep on Playin’! Always hire LIVE Musicians! It’s best Live!

Name: Chip Rowedder Role: Keyboards Instrument: Fatar SL-880 Keyboard with a Kurzweil Synthesizer Favorite Main Street Song: Beyond the Sea Chip played in several jazz and rock bands throughout high school and college. Following that he took a long hiatus from playing in bands due to the combined effects of work and a family. He resumed playing in a swing band with Harold Van Ommeron and Mike Russo about 8 years ago. Following the breakup of that band, the rhythm section formed a rock group (The Substitutes) that played in the Madison area for several years. After tiring of late hours in smoky bars wearing increasingly uncomfortable spandex outfits, Chip and Harold decided to return to playing big band music as members of Main Street. Chip is currently employed as a Project Engineer at CC&N in Pewaukee. He lives in Nashotah with his wife Beth and their three children Blake(13), AJ(10) and Madyson(6), all of whom take piano lessons whether they like it or not.

Band Biographies The Main Street Big Band members have extensive musical experience and quite varied professional backgrounds.  Take a look at the following Bio's to learn a little more about what makes this band so unique!

Name: Pat Stillman Role: Guitar Instrument: TBD Favorite Main Street Song: TBD Favorite Artists: TBD TBD

Name: Melissa Ordiway Role: Vocalist Instrument: Voice & Percussion Toys Favorite Main Street Song: Orange Colored Skies & L.O.V.E. Favorite Artists: Bonnie Raitt and Diana Krall Missy was born into a military family in the fine state of Ohio. Go Buckeyes!!  She and her family moved to Wisconsin (by way of Tulsa, Ok) when Missy was still in grade school and has been here ever since.   She grew up in a musical family with one sister and two brothers that all sing and play an instrument.  Her mother was a professional opera singer and started training Missy at the age of nine.  In high school, Missy was active in choir and musicals and has been involved in different types of bands all her adult life.  She works full time in the business department at RateWatch in Fort Atkinson and coaches high school gymnastics part time.  Missy and her husband, Chris, are very active in community theatre.  She has one daughter, Megan, and one grandaughter, Julia, who is her pride and joy.  Missy has loved big band ever since her Dad taught her how to jitterbug in the living room when she was a kid.  Many thanks to her friends and family for their support and to her Dad and Step Mom for the "push."  Thanks to Linda for the nickname and most of all to "Steady Eddy" for helping her get this gig!

Name: Tom Gard Role: 2nd Tenor Saxophone Instrument: Tenor Saxophone Favorite Main Street Song: TBD TBD