Piano and Early Childhood

Julie Baskinger (Early Childhood Director/Piano) Julie Baskinger has degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Lawrence University and the University of Oklahoma. She is also a licensed Musikgarten early childhood music educator. Julie has studied with nationally renowned teachers and composers such as Jane Magrath, Marvin Blickenstaff, and Louise Goss. While on faculty at the New School for Music Study in Princeton, NJ, she also served as assistant editor with the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy. Julie was a featured speaker on a panel of post-graduates at the 2005 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and has held faculty positions at the Westminster Conservatory of Music, Musicians in the Making, and Raritan Valley Community College in Central NJ.

Kari Engleson (Executive Director/Piano/Early Childhood) Kari Engleson graduated from high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts and has degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Lawrence University and the University of Louisville. Prior to starting Prairie Music Academy in 1999, she taught at the Lawrence Academy of Music in Appleton and started the Creative Keyboard Arts Center in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been an active teacher and clinician in the Madison area since 1999 and is a licensed Musikgarten early childhood music educator. She has experience working with students of all ages and abilities and was instrumental in developing a music and motion program for the Sun Prairie Area School District pre-K special needs program from 2005-2007.

Matthew Lichtenwald (Piano) Matthew Lichtenwald has a degree in piano performance from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. While in school he won the concerto competition and performed as soloist with the symphony orchestra, was an accompanist for local church choirs and student instrumentalists, and interned as a student teacher within the private studio of a local teacher. In addition to teaching music, Matthew volunteers for organizations such as CASA in Madison and serves as a substitute pianist for several area churches.

Sarah Meddaugh (Art/Theater) Sarah Meddaugh is currently finishing studies in theater and history at UW Madison. While attending The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Sarah focused on children's theater and theater for young audiences. She has taught a number of creative movement and drama courses for children ages three to eighteen. She has also directed and performed in theater productions aimed at and produced by children.

Jennifer Rae (Early Childhood/Music Therapy) Jennifer Rae has a degree in music therapy from Alverno College in Milwaukee and is a board certified music therapist. She is an experienced early childhood music instructor and has specialized experience with persons with Autism, Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Jess Salek (Piano) Jess Salek has degrees in piano performance from Lawrence University and from State University of New York, Stony Brook and is completing doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has served on the teaching faculty at both the Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has served as an adjudicator at music festivals and concerto competitions throughout the state. An active performer, he was the featured soloist at the 2008 Syttende Mai festival in Viroqua WI.

Guitar & Strings

Mary Gaines (Acoustic & Electric Guitar/Electric Bass/Jazz Cello) Mary Gaines was originally a jazz guitar major at the University of WI, Stevens Point. She has studied jazz cello under the tutelage of the great Richard Davis at the UW-Madison and is known for her amazing voice, which is often compared to Bonnie Raitt. As a session musician, she has appeared on albums such as Smashing Pumpkin's "Gish", several Freedy Johnston, Willy Porter, and Carrie Newcomer albums, and scores of others. Currently, she is a member of the The Stellanovas, Gaines & Wagoner and The Bob Westfall Band and was past winner for Best Female Vocalist, Best Unique Song, Best Jazz Album, and Best World Music Song at the Madison Music Awards. Along with husband Chris Wagoner, she is co-host of “Mad Toast Live,” a weekly live talk show featuring regional musicians.

Mark Harrod (Guitar) Mark Harrod has a varied background in banking, business, and music. He is an accomplished singer/songwriter and recently performed and produced an original song for the Chicago Cubs. In addition to venues throughout the Midwest, he has performed at Summerfest and Bastille Days in Milwaukee and Harborfest in Racine. He has won numerous awards including the Newberry Scholarship for Piano Composition and Performance and the Best Adult Contemporary Band in 2005 from the Wisconsin Area Music Industry. Mark has also served as artist-in-residence in elementary school workshops using songwriting to teach positive social skills to young children.

Blake Thomas (Guitar) Blake Thomas is an accomplished singer/songwriter and has studied at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. He recently returned from a year long tour of the US and is a frequent performer in the Madison area. He is the past winner of numerous awards including; Best Folk/Bluegrass/Americana Album and Artist and Best Male Vocalist at the Madison Area Music Awards. His recordings include Flatlands, 40 Minutes, and Real Like Theater.

Katie Cummings (Strings) Katie Cummings has a degree in music and a minor in non-profit arts management from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Past work experiences include concert and artist management at Interlochen Center for the Arts, chamber ensemble coaching, and teaching for the UW Whitewater String Academy program. She performs with the Beloit-Janesville Symphony, as well as with other area orchestras and string quartets and is a member of ASTA, the American String Teachers Association.

Chris Wagoner (Strings/Fiddle/Mandolin) Chris Wagoner is a founding member of Madison's Harmonious Wail, The Common Faces, and The Moon Gypsies. While at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he studied jazz and classical styles and played in bands ranging from rock, blues, and country, to folk and jazz. He has been an in-demand performer and session musician in the region for almost two decades. Currently, he is a member of the The Stellanovas, Gaines & Wagoner and The Bob Westfall Band and is a past winner for Best Male Vocalist, Best Unique Song, Best Jazz Album, and Best World Music Song at the Madison Music Awards. Along with wife Mary Gaines, he is co-host of “Mad Toast Live,” a weekly live talk show featuring regional musicians.

Voice

Gina Jorgenson (Program Director/Voice/Piano) Gina Jorgenson has a degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She is an accomplished singer and choreographer and was a lead member in Kids from Wisconsin from 1997-2001. Prior to teaching at Prairie Music Academy she was a choral teacher in the Cashton Public Schools and taught private piano and voice at music schools in Tomah and Onalaska, WI. In addition to teaching and directing programs at Prairie Music Academy, she is the Youth Choir Director at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Sun Prairie and the Junior Youth Choir at Bethel Lutheran Church in downtown Madison.

Percussion

Todd Truesdale is completing his studies in Percussion Performance at UW Stevens Point, and he will be pursuing a degree in pedagogy. He has experience in concert and solo percussion as well as drum set and hand drumming. In addition to his involvement with the music program at UWSP, Todd performs with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society. He currenty has students in Sun Prairie, Stevens Point, Waupaca, and New London. Todd also hosts percussion method classes and ethnic drumming workshops in Stevens Point.