MUSICAL INFLUENCERS
SENSORY FRIENDLY CONCERT
Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Allen-Bradley Hall
Ryan Tani, conductor
Matthew Huebsch, actor
Ash Mulholland, actor
Jude Smith, actor
Katie Cummings, stage director
Derrick Cainion, ASL interpreter
Jill Kenehan-Krey, ASL interpreter
Concept by Katie Cummings and Rebecca Whitney
Script by Ariel Mitchell Williams
Stage art created by Pip Buffington
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Opus 67
I. Allegro con brio
JOHN WILLIAMS
“Shark Theme” from Jaws
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Overture to The Magic Flute
LEONARD BERNSTEIN arr. peress
Overture to West Side Story
AARON COPLAND
Variations on a Shaker Melody from Appalachian Spring
CARLOS SIMON
Four Black American Dances
I. Ring Shout
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ arr. ricketts
Highlights from Wicked
The length of this concert is approximately 50 minutes.
RYAN TANI
conductor
Now in his third season with the MSO and his first as its associate conductor, Ryan Tani has built a reputation for inventive programming, as well as an energetic connection with audiences in Milwaukee and beyond. At the MSO, he conducts a wide range of concerts — including education, family, pops, and classics — and has stepped in for Edo de Waart and led sold-out performances in his 2025 classics debut. He has served as cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and Bozeman Symphony.
A committed advocate for new music, Tani was music director of Baltimore’s Occasional Symphony, commissioning over 20 works and supporting dozens of composers in just three years. At Yale, he served as conducting fellow of the Philharmonia and resident conductor of New Music New Haven, earning the Dean’s Prize for artistic excellence.
Tani’s community-focused work includes leading multiple ensembles across Montana, including the Bozeman, Missoula, Great Falls, and Montana State University symphonies. Committed to connecting with audiences off the podium, he also developed outreach programs, taught university courses, and fostered collaborations between artists and the public — efforts that continue to shape his approach today.
He holds degrees from Yale University, the Peabody Institute, and the University of Southern California, and has studied with Marin Alsop, Peter Oundjian, Markand Thakar, Larry Rachleff, and Donald Schleicher. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife Bronte and his corgi Darby and enjoys cooking, reading, and playing violin.
ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE
Welcome to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s sensory friendly concert event, Musical Influencers! Sensory friendly concerts include modifications geared toward those on the autism spectrum or who identify with any kind of disability or sensory sensitivity, but all are welcome! Our three onstage actors will help guide everyone through the performance. Feel free to get up and move and dance and even change seats if you would like. The house lights will remain up and the theater doors will be open, so if you need to leave for a little while and then come back to the hall, you are welcome to do so. Please see the additional information below regarding resources and locations available that we hope will contribute to a positive experience for all in attendance today!
Today we invite you to enjoy a “viral” concert experience. Good times and great music will be trending as our three onstage influencers from Pink Umbrella Theater Company introduce you to some of the most influential composers of all time!
The Bradley Symphony Center is proud to be a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue. More information can be found at www.kulturecity.org
IMPORTANT LOCATIONS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES
If at any time you need assistance or have a question during today’s concert, please find an MSO Ambassador wearing a yellow lanyard or an MSO staffmember.
Sensory bags, noise-reducing headphones, and weighted lap pads are available for check out from the Coat Check or by finding an MSO Volunteer. Sensory bags include one pair of noise-reducing headphones, three unique fidget tools, one feeling thermometer, and one KC VIP Lanyard. These are available for check out at any MSO performance.
Quiet Areas can be found in the following locations:
Historic Exhibit – Lower Level (Mobile Sensory Unit located here) Please be aware that sometimes there is a buzzing sound in this area due to our humidifying system.
Quiet Room – Main Level (nearest Orchestra Left)
Phone Booths – 2nd Level (across from restrooms)
These booths will be equipped with a bean bag chair and some fidgets. We ask that these tools stay in the booths.
Food and beverages are available for purchase in the Main Level Ellen & Joe Checota Gallery of the Pavilion. Drinks with lids and food are allowed in Allen-Bradley Hall during this performance.
All restrooms in the Bradley Symphony Center are wheelchair accessible. In addition, we have several gender neutral/family bathrooms with baby changing tables we’d like to call to your attention. Their locations are as follows:
Historic Exhibit – Lower Level
Ellen & Joe Checota Gallery – Main Level
Ellen & Joe Checota Atrium – 2nd Level
Assisted listening devices, Braille programs, and large print programs are available at most MSO performances. Find an MSO staff member to inquire.
This performance will also feature ASL interpreters, located in House Center Right.
All levels of the Bradley Symphony Center are accessible by elevator. Booster seats are available at any MSO performance.
MATTHEW HUEBSCH
Matthew Huebsch is a Milwaukee area actor. He is happy to make a return to the MSO! Over the past couple of decades, he has performed with a variety of Milwaukee theaters, including the Constructivists, Danceworks, and Skylight Music Theatre. He is also a co-founder of Kidsplay, a comedy theater for kids. He recently returned to his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, to pursue his master’s degree. When not acting, Matthew spends time with his family and enjoys photography, motorcycling, and dabbling in digital video production.
actor ASH MULHOLLAND
actor
Ash Mulholland, Milwaukee’s local Musical Theater Fanatic, is back for a second round with the MSO for this performance. You may remember her (and her love for orange juice) from her appearance in the 2023 Sensory Friendly concert, “Symphony Spring Break II: Cruisin’ Along.” Her recent performances include All in Productions’ Press Play: A Nerd Cabaret (2025) and Holly Jolly Holiday Cabaret (2025), Theatrical Tendencies’ MisCasTt Cabaret (2025), West Allis Players’ A Broadway Journey 2 (2025), and her work with Pink Umbrella Theater Company and the In the Spotlight Showcase (2025), Portraits (2024) as Ellen, and Kaleidoscope (2023) as Ruthie. Be sure to check out Ash’s website (ashmulholland.com) and YouTube channel @ashmulholland7796.
JUDE SMITH actor
Jude Smith (he/him/his) is a disabled actor, musician, writer, and performance artist based in Caledonia, Wisconsin. His past theatrical work includes Honk! (Turkey), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Historian), William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Messenger), and The Laramie Project (Bailiff) at Case High School, The Jungle Book KIDS (Vulture) at the Racine Theatre Guild, and Kaleidescope and, most recently, the staged reading of Shimmer (Child) by Anita Prestidge with Pink Umbrella Theater Company, for which he also made his backstage debut as the lighting designer. Recently, he was a member of the scenic paint crew and costume construction crew for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburne and on the lighting prep team for Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley, by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, both at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He also performs folk and world music and writes poetry about the Earth, the cosmos, and our experience as humans under the pseudonym NEPTUNE’S ORBIT. He dedicates his work to disability equality and awareness and the eradication of prejudice. He hopes that you will see the colors of music while listening to the orchestra’s performance today.
KATIE CUMMINGS
pink umbrella theater company executive director and founder
Katie Cummings has dedicated over twenty years as a theater artist, educator, and advocate for inclusion and diversity in theater. A Wisconsin native, Katie graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Business. Her resume includes First Stage, Bunny Gumbo Theatre Company, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and St. Joseph High School. Katie believes that theater has the power to develop empathy, create meaningful connections, and engage community.
DERRICK CAINION
asl interpreter
Nationally certified sign language interpreter and entrepreneur Derrick Cainion has been providing American Sign Language interpreting services nationally and internationally for almost 20 years. Derrick is a generalist and has developed expertise in interpreting within performing arts settings. Derrick’s passion for the arts and community doesn’t end with interpreting. He is also the founder of Art Intersection MKE, a community arts organization on the Near West Side of Milwaukee that focuses on using art to uplift and unite the community.
JILL KENEHAN-KREY
asl interpreter
Jill Kenehan-Krey is thrilled to be back for her 3rd year with the MSO’s Sensory Friendly Concert.
A nationally certified sign language interpreter, entrepreneur, and artist, Jill has served Milwaukee and beyond for over 30 years. Having established Interpreting Solutions, Inc. in 2001, Jill interprets as well as coordinates interpreting services in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, theatre, government, corporate, conference, education, and social services. A resident of and ambassador for Milwaukee, she endeavors to build an accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive world through service and community connections.
2025.26 SEASON
KEN-DAVID MASUR
Music Director
Polly and Bill Van Dyke Music Director Chair
EDO DE WAART
Music Director Laureate
BYRON STRIPLING
Principal Pops Conductor
Stein Family Foundation Principal Pops Conductor Chair
RYAN TANI
Associate Conductor
CHERYL FRAZES HILL
Chorus Director,
Margaret Hawkins Chorus Director Chair
TIMOTHY J. BENSON
Assistant Chorus Director
FIRST VIOLINS
Jinwoo Lee, Concertmaster, Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair
Ilana Setapen, First Associate Concertmaster
Thora M. Vervoren First Associate Concertmaster Chair
Jeanyi Kim, Associate Concertmaster
Alexander Ayers
Autumn Chodorowski
Yuka Kadota
Elliot Lee
Dylana Leung
Kyung Ah Oh
Lijia Phang
Vinícius Sant’Ana**
Yuanhui Fiona Zheng
SECOND VIOLINS
Jennifer Startt, Principal, Andrea and Woodrow Leung Second Violin Chair
Ji-Yeon Lee, Assistant Principal (2nd chair)
John Bian, Assistant Principal (3rd chair)
Hyewon Kim, Acting Assistant Principal (3rd chair)
Heejeon Ahn
Lisa Johnson Fuller
Clay Hancock
Paul Hauer
Sheena Lan**
Janis Sakai**
Yiran Yao
VIOLAS
Victor de Almeida, Principal, Richard O. and Judith A. Wagner Family Principal Viola Chair
Samantha Rodriguez, Assistant Principal (2nd chair), Friends of Janet F. Ruggeri
Viola Chair
Alejandro Duque, Assistant Principal (3rd chair)
Elizabeth Breslin
Georgi Dimitrov
Nathan Hackett
Michael Lieberman**
Erin H. Pipal
CELLOS
Susan Babini, Principal, Dorothea C. Mayer Cello Chair
Shinae Ra, Assistant Principal (2nd chair)
Scott Tisdel, Associate Principal Emeritus
Madeleine Kabat
Peter Szczepanek
Peter J. Thomas
Adrien Zitoun
BASSES
Principal, Donald B. Abert Bass Chair
Andrew Raciti, Acting Principal
Nash Tomey, Acting Assistant Principal (2nd chair)
Brittany Conrad
Broner McCoy
Paris Myers
HARP
Julia Coronelli, Principal, Walter Schroeder Harp Chair
FLUTES
Sonora Slocum, Principal, Margaret and Roy Butter Flute Chair
Heather Zinninger, Assistant Principal
Jennifer Bouton Schaub
PICCOLO
Jennifer Bouton Schaub
OBOES
Katherine Young Steele, Principal, Milwaukee Symphony League Oboe Chair
Kevin Pearl, Assistant Principal
Margaret Butler
ENGLISH HORN
Margaret Butler, Philip and Beatrice Blank English Horn Chair in memoriam to John Martin
CLARINETS
Todd Levy, Principal, Franklyn Esenberg Clarinet Chair
Jay Shankar, Assistant Principal, Donald and Ruth P. Taylor Assistant Principal Clarinet Chair
Besnik Abrashi
E-FLAT CLARINET
Jay Shankar
BASS CLARINET
Besnik Abrashi
BASSOONS
Catherine Van Handel, Principal, Muriel C. and John D. Silbar Family Bassoon Chair *
Rudi Heinrich, Assistant Principal
Matthew Melillo
CONTRABASSOON
Matthew Melillo
HORNS
Matthew Annin, Principal, Krause Family French Horn Chair
Krystof Pipal, Associate Principal
Dietrich Hemann, Andy Nunemaker French
Horn Chair
Darcy Hamlin
Dawson Hartman
TRUMPETS
Matthew Ernst, Principal
Walter L. Robb Family Trumpet Chair
David Cohen, Associate Principal
Martin J. Krebs Associate Principal Trumpet Chair
Tim McCarthy, Fred Fuller Trumpet Chair
TROMBONES
Megumi Kanda, Principal, Marjorie Tiefenthaler Trombone Chair
Kirk Ferguson, Assistant Principal
BASS TROMBONE
John Thevenet, Richard M. Kimball Bass Trombone Chair
TUBA
Robyn Black, Principal
John and Judith Simonitsch Tuba Chair
TIMPANI
Dean Borghesani, Principal
Chris Riggs, Assistant Principal
PERCUSSION
Robert Klieger, Principal
Chris Riggs
PIANO
Melitta S. Pick Endowed Piano Chair
PERSONNEL
Antonio Padilla Denis, Director of Orchestra Personnel
Paris Myers, Assistant Manager of Orchestra Personnel
LIBRARIANS
Paul Beck, Principal Librarian, James E. Van Ess Principal Librarian Chair
Matthew Geise, Assistant Librarian and Media Archivist
PRODUCTION
Tristan Wallace, Production Manager/Live Audio
Lisa Sottile, Production Stage Manager
*Leave of absence during the 2025.26 season
** Acting member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 2025.26 Season
SPECIAL THANKS
We wish to acknowledge the following for their guidance and support. Their assistance has helped to make this Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Sensory Friendly concert possible.
Katie Cummings, Pink Umbrella Theater Company
Mary Stone, Stepping Stones Educational Services
Pink Umbrella Theater Company Teaching Artists: Erin Dietsche, Molly Kiefer, Noah Stone, Morgan Tillisch
White House of Music for providing and staffing Instrument Exploration Stations
Today’s MSO Ambassadors, who include MSO musicians, staff, board members, chorus members, and community volunteers.