Milwaukee-based pianist and vocalist Carolyn Wehner performs music that adds an air of distinction to your party, wedding or other special occasion. Her experience as both a pianist and vocalist – with a wide-ranging repertoire in both areas – will ensure a celebration your guests will always remember.

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has performed on stage as a singer in a variety of musical comedy, opera and operetta productions with Milwaukee’s Skylight Opera Theatre and other area companies. Her style is a blend of light classical selections and popular standards. She has done solo performances of Broadway songs, pop/rock hits and sentimental favorites in both indoor and outdoor settings. She has developed cabaret revues of German, Viennese and American theater music and has performed them at Milwaukee’s German Fest for over five summers.

Carolyn’s expertise as a vocalist and a pianist offers you the following unique options:

• She can serve as both vocal soloist and pianist for your ceremony.
• She can serve as vocalist only with your church organist, a string quartet, or other instrumentalist as accompanist.

Many couples express an interest in including music in their wedding ceremonies that celebrates their families' ethnic backgrounds. Carolyn's prior operatic training and experience provided opportunities to sing in German, Italian and French. She also has experience singing in Spanish, Polish and Hebrew, and would consider it a privilege to learn and perform an appropriate piece for your special day.

Her life-long affection for many styles of music, combined with her training and the experience gathered through years of varied performance opportunities, give Carolyn a unique perspective from which to share her gift of music. No matter how large or small your occasion, you deserve the finest music performed by an experienced professional who sincerely enjoys her role of enhancing your day!

Ken Rothacker has been involved with instrumental music since he started playing the trumpet while in elementary school. After teaching himself guitar while in junior high, Ken went on to earn a scholarship to study classical guitar as a music major at the University of Illinois. While studying at Illinois with Professor Paul Cox, Ken participated in master classes with a number of elite guitarists, including Manuel Barruecco, Robert Guthrie, Sharon Isbin, Michael Newman, and Turibio Santos.

Since graduating from the University of Illinois, Ken has maintained an active playing schedule, performing both as a solo guitarist as well as with several groups, for numerous weddings, corporate events, concerts, and church services. Ken’s playing has been heard on radio stations including WMBI-FM and WGN-AM. June of 2008 marked a 3rd return appearance to Chicago’s Wrigley Field, where Ken’s solo guitar version of “The Star Spangled Banner” has been featured before several Cub’s games. Ken is extremely versatile in style and repertoire feeling just as comfortable playing a Classical Concerto, Swinging Jazz standard or Beatles Rock Classic.

The McKenzie Duo of Mark McKenzie, guitar, and Sue McKenzie, flute, perform with a diverse musical background including classical, popular, jazz, traditional and ethnic styles. The warm and versatile blend of flute and guitar is well suited to a range of musical styles and periods, from Beethoven to the Beatles, from Medieval dances to modern ballad.

In addition to classical guitar, Mark plays acoustic, electric, and bass guitar in jazz and rock groups. He is also a composer and arranger and continues to expand the McKenzie Duo's repetoire with new selections.

Sue holds a degree in music education and works as an elementary band director. She also maintains a private flute studio and performs as a soloist and an orchestral musician.

Bring together two talented musicians, mix in a little passion and a lot of enthusiasm, and you have the Skyline Violin-Guitar Duet. With the romantic charm of the violin and the tender sounds of the guitar, this is an ensemble that can accommodate many styles and many types of events.

Ken Rothacker has been involved with instrumental music since he started playing the trumpet while in elementary school. After teaching himself guitar while in junior high, Ken went on to earn a scholarship to study classical guitar as a music major at the University of Illinois. While studying at Illinois with Professor Paul Cox, Ken participated in master classes with a number of elite guitarists, including Manuel Barruecco, Robert Guthrie, Sharon Isbin, Michael Newman, and Turibio Santos. Since graduating from Illinois, Ken has maintained an active playing schedule, performing both as a solo guitarist as well as with several groups, for numerous weddings, corporate events, concerts, and church services. Ken’s playing has been heard on radio stations including WMBI-FM and WGN-AM. June of 2008 marked a 3rd return appearance to Chicago’s Wrigley Field, where Ken’s solo guitar version of “The Star Spangled Banner” has been featured before several Cub’s games. Ken is extremely versatile in style and repertoire feeling just as comfortable playing a Classical Concerto, Swinging Jazz standard or Beatles Rock Classic.

Violinist April Berkowski holds her Bachelor of Music from Elmhurst College and has played violin for over 30 years. Originally trained in the Classical genre, April’s interest in jazz, pop and world music has seen her recently explore the stylings of non-traditional violin styles. With several hundred wedding ceremonies and countless other types of events under her belt, she is just as home playing in a classical string quartet, a Slavic gypsy ensemble, with a rock guitarist or in front of a jazz combo.

Together, April and Ken have explored a diverse range of songs for their repertoire. Consider using them for a charming wedding ceremony (indoors or outdoors!), a festive cocktail reception or an elegant dinner. With amplification available, they can perform in front of groups of up to 500 guests. Whether you are looking for classical styles to flamenco to jazz to pop, or rock, the Skyline Duet will bring sparkle to any special event.

Classical and Contemporary pianist, George Hansen, is able to add that special touch to your occasion with his outstanding keyboard talent. He has taught his craft at the university level, as well as to youngsters wanting to learn to play the piano. His smooth sounds will provide excellent background music for the cocktail party or heavenly sounds for the wedding ceremony. His versatility is limited only by your imagination!

George and his daughter, Dionne, are able to provide that extra touch of a flute and piano duet for your event. Dionne is the first American in over 15 years to have won the prestigious First-Prize in Flute from the Paris Conservatory of Music. As a graduate of the Julliard School of Music, Dionne has achieved stature as the second flute for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the guest flutist for the Chicago Opera Theatre, as well as playing with the New York Philharmonic and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Whether as a duet or as a solo piano presentation, you will not be disappointed with the excellence of this father and daughter musical talent.

Mark Streder was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. He attended public schools and received an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with high honors from Triton College, and a Bachelors Degree in Electronic Music Composition with honors from Roosevelt University.

In addition to playing piano and electronic keyboards with many of Chicagolands top musicians for 20 years, Mark Streder has owned and operated a music production studio producing many projects for television and radio broadcast as well as corporate and industrial clients. He is on the faculty at Elmhurst College teaching music theory, electronic music, and jazz piano.