Meet our Personnel

Conductor and Artistic Director

Seong-Kyung Graham, a native of Korea, received her Bachelor of Music from Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul before moving to the United States in 1989. After earning her Master of Music at the University of North Texas, she pursued additional graduate studies in conducting at the University of Illinois and the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

Ms. Graham has a wide range of conducting experience with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and choirs. The orchestras she has guest-conducted include Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, Lawrence Symphony Orchestra and Lawrence Chamber Orchestra at Lawrence University, All Star Symphony Orchestra in Cincinnati, Concert Orchestra at the University of Cincinnati, Starling Showcase Orchestra in Cincinnati, and Illini Orchestra at the University of Illinois.

She was previously the music director of the Fox Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra, Bradley Chamber Orchestra at Bradley University, Ripon College Orchestra, and served as the assistant conductor of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra at Lawrence University. She also recently served as the music director at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ. She has been the conductor and artistic director of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay since 2005.

Trumpet

Dan Marbes joined the Civic Symphony of Green Bay in 2003 and has been principal trumpet since 2011.

Dan grew up in the Green Bay area and is a graduate of Ashwaubenon High School. He studied trumpet with Dr. Robert Kase at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and received a Bachelor of Music in music education. Dan taught high school band in Mosinee from 1997-2002. While living in central Wisconsin, he performed with the Wausau Symphony and Band, the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, River Cities Jazz, and the New Justmann Band. Dan served as board president of the Wausau Symphony and Band and conducted the symphony’s final performance of the 2001-2002 season.

Dan completed work toward a master’s in music education from Northwestern University, where he studied trumpet with John Hagstrom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, Dan left teaching to join the original touring cast of Blast II: Shockwave which performed at EPCOT in Orlando and toured the United States for seven months. After returning to Wisconsin, Dan joined the popular local variety band Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z, where he performed on trumpet and vocals from 2003-2009.

Following his time as a touring musician, Dan started a new career path in information technology. He is currently Director of Digital Workplace Solutions at American Family Insurance.

Since 2020, Dan has served as president of the board of directors for the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, where he led the orchestra’s return following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Dan completed his MBA at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2021.

In addition to CSGB, Dan performs with many local groups including the Weidner Philharmonic, St. Norbert Community Band, Vento Winds, Green Bay Jazz Orchestra, and the Sheboygan Symphony.

Outside of work and volunteering, Dan achieved his private pilot’s license in 2022 and enjoys flying and running. He and his wife Timberly live in Ashwaubenon.

Violin, Concertmaster

A native of West Virginia, Dr. Taylor Giorgio is recognized as an imaginative performer and educator. She is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Strings and Music Education at St. Norbert College, where she also serves as the orchestra director. An avid orchestral musician, she is excited to perform as the concertmaster of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay and to share music with the community.

Taylor graduated summa cum laude from West Virginia University with undergraduate degrees in music education and violin performance. While at WVU, she conducted the Morgantown Community Orchestra, won the Young Artist Concerto Competition, and premiered a solo concerto written by a student composer with the WVU Orchestra. Taylor completed her doctoral studies in violin performance at Florida State University, where she was a graduate teaching assistant for Corinne Stillwell for her master’s and doctoral degrees.

Before moving to Green Bay, she was the orchestra director at William J. Montford Middle School, violin coach and outreach coordinator for the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras, maintained a large private studio, and played as a section violinist in multiple orchestras in northern Florida.

An active pedagogue, she presented a session at the 2020 American String Teachers Association National Conference, served as a violinist and teaching artist in Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s String Quartet-in-Residence from 2018-2020, and was an instructor for the DC Strings Workshop in 2021.

Taylor is a founding member of two chamber ensembles – Virago Ensemble, a string ensemble, and Invicta Trio, a new music trio comprised of violin, trombone, and piano. In 2020, she released two premiere recordings for Shelter Recordings through the American Composers Alliance. She has performed with artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Lawrence Brownlee, Renee Fleming, Jennifer Ko, Matthew Morrison, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, among others.

Taylor and her husband, trombonist Kenneth Johnson, live in Green Bay with their dog Suki.

Tuba

Steve Wilda plays tuba in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. Of all the low brass instruments he plays, including euphonium and trombone, the tuba seems to provide the most opportunities. Steve also plays with the Green Bay City Band, Green Bay Packers Tailgaters Band, the Newtonburg Brass Band, St. Norbert Community Band, Yuletide Carolers and various brass ensembles throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

Steve says that Civic provides him with the opportunity to play with a group of musicians who just love to play. It’s also one of the few places where he gets the chance to play orchestral literature. For tuba, it usually means counting measures of rest rather than playing. However, he says “when I do get to play it can be pretty exciting.”

String Bass

John Kolar plays the double bass in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. He had a double bass in storage for many years that was in need of repair and adjustment. So, he took it to Larry’s String Workshop and then Larry suggested he attend a symphony rehearsal. They were apparently always in need of more basses. Fearing this all might be well over his head, he didn’t bring his bass to that first rehearsal. After hearing the orchestra and meeting members of the bass section, he knew there would be much to learn before he felt ready to join the group, but he became enchanted with the idea of being a part of the group. He brought his bass to the next week’s rehearsal and played well enough in tune to be an acceptable walk-on with plenty of room to grow.

John also plays guitar, baritone, and tuba. In the past, John was a member of  The Dave Charles Quartet, The Directors Big Band, The Allouez Town Band, The De Pere City Band, The Diplomats, Wayne Shepardson’s Orchestra, The River City Six, Kevin Van Ess & Talk of The Town, and The Packer Tailgaiter Band. Having been involved as a member of the orchestra since 2010 including several years of service as the head librarian as well as a board member, it has been and continues to be such an important and rewarding part of John’s retired life. Playing in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay is a way to continue to contribute to this great community.

Horn

Bill Klumb plays horn in the Civic Symphony. He didn’t choose to play horn. During a junior high school open house, his mother told the band director that he played piano in grade school and possessed an unusual talent for transposing songs up and down the keyboard. Upon hearing this, the teacher suggested that he try playing French horn. He was open to the suggestion, however he had no idea what a French horn was. Apparently the teacher’s suggestion was a good one! Bill played all of the band and orchestra instruments as an instrumental music teacher.

He still plays some trumpet and keyboard. Bill plays in the Green Bay City Band, Allouez Village Band, and the praise band at First United Church of Christ in Green Bay. Playing in the Civic Symphony, Bill enjoys sharing his talents and passion for producing a quality musical product for others to enjoy with other musicians who desire to do the same.

Violin

Darlene Bentz plays violin in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. She became interested in violin when one day in 4th grade her grandfather arrived at her house with his violin he had found in the attic of his childhood home. Darlene couldn’t wait to begin orchestra in 5th grade. Her goal was to be better at violin than her orchestra teacher (he was a bass player).

She started playing piano at age 5, added violin, and then oboe. She continued to study all three instruments through high school, although she always knew violin was her favorite. Besides playing violin in Civic, she also maintains a private studio teaching Suzuki violin, teaches four days a week at Webster Elementary School of Integrated Arts, and plays with the Heritage String Quartet.

The best part about playing in Civic Symphony is the variety of people she rehearses with every week. Everybody has a story to tell, where they have been, how they got there, and why music is so important in their life.

Oboe, English horn

Deirdre Rasmussen plays oboe and English horn in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. When she was very small, she heard “Peter and the Wolf” and told her mom that the “duck” was her favorite. Later she chose oboe for band, without first starting on other instruments as most oboe players do. Band and orchestra were her “team sport” from then on.

Deirdre also plays piano, recorder, Irish tin whistle, and she can play simple tunes on the viola as well! She also sings. Deirdre also performs in the St. Norbert Community Band, Recorders by the Bay, Renard Consort (a recorder ensemble in Appleton), and occasionally at church and friends’ churches.

The Civic Symphony is very special because we definitely are all “among friends.” Deirdre says, “it’s brought color into my life, and I’m thrilled that we are able to share the joy of music with each other and the rest of the community, particularly children.”

Violin

Margi Diny plays violin in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. In 4th grade they had demonstrations of several instruments, and it appealed to her. Margi also plays piano and sings. Margi performs at church and for weddings as well as in local theater groups.

Margi is a freelance professional actor, and does commercials and other film work. About playing with the Civic Symphony, Margi says this: “First off, I LOVE being a part of, and being surrounded by, other instruments in live orchestral works. Secondly, it’s like being part of a family. And Seong is so expressive and appreciative to play under.”

Flute, piccolo

Rose Van Himbergen started playing the flute in 6th grade because she thought it was the prettiest and at that time her arms weren’t long enough to play the trombone. Although she has two small children and a full time job, Rose takes time to play with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay because she gets to play with dedicated musicians who choose to “give back” to the community through music. “You can feel the love when we play our concerts-it’s magical.”

Flute, piccolo

Lynn Drewiske started playing flute in 5th grade when she discovered her mom’s old high school flute. This is her 10th year with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. The opportunity to band together with like-minded musicians for the love and joy of music is what her soul desires. She wants to share that passion with the audience, and hopes the music will bring them joy.

Percussion

Mindy Popke plays in the percussion section of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. The percussion instruments she plays vary from piece to piece. Most of the time she chooses to play the timpani (or the big soup kettles” as her mother likes to call them!).

During middle school Mindy studied piano, and also sang alto in her high school choir and in college. At the moment she is pondering exploring a 120-bass accordion that she inherited from her grandmother. Playing in a volunteer orchestra for Mindy means making new friends and helping each other both in and outside of the orchestra.

Violin

When Civic Symphony first violin player Chris Williams started playing the violin at age 11, he didn’t care if it wasn’t considered a “cool” instrument. He says it has become “cooler” over the subsequent 40 years! He made the decision to keep music as an avocation rather than a vocation his senior year in high school.

Though the violin is Chris’s main instrument, he also has played the erhu (Chinese violin), mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass guitar, and keyboards, and he also sings. He has performed as a soloist with the Doctors in Recital for the past 4 years.

He misses playing with the symphony during the summer as he loves getting together every week during the season with a group of others who love making music together.

Horn

Paul Oleksy is a very busy musician. Not only does he play French horn with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, he also plays horn with the North Winds Quintet and plays percussion in the Green Bay City Band as well as in the Allouez Village Band which he helps direct. Besides percussion he also plays piano and other brass.

Paul doesn’t play his music to make money, but rather because it is something he loves doing. He says without a volunteer orchestra he would never have been given the chance to play music at this level with so many like-minded and talented musicians. For him, a volunteer orchestra means he can continue to play, be challenged, and grow as a musician. He says, “Hard to imagine my life without that.”

Violin

Sarah Krienke plays the violin in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. She chose to take up the violin in 3rd grade when she saw a young girl playing one at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, and she thought “if she can do that, I can do that.” Sarah adds that “the little girl was about my age and she was so good!” The funny thing is, she is still friends with this girl today and they have been good friends since high school.

Sarah also started taking piano and guitar lessons but she shared that she just wasn’t able to keep up with practicing that much anymore; so has focused on the violin. Sarah has been playing at wedding ceremonies more recently, “which is a lot of fun and a nice way to earn extra money. I perform with a group called “Serendipitous Sounds” which features a variety of musicians.”

About playing with the orchestra, Sarah explains that “being a part of the Civic Symphony is one of my ways of feeling that I am connected to Green Bay because it has given me an opportunity to give back to the community through my time and my talent. I have always been very grateful for the friendships I’ve made through the symphony. We have a wonderful group of people who come together to share in the joy that music brings to each of us! It is truly a special organization and I am glad to be a part of it for 5 years now.”

Bassoon

Rachel shared that she is excited to be playing bassoon with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. She chose to play bassoon because she moved to a middle school that did not have an orchestra. She tried to play the tuba (true story: her parents made her practice outside and the cows kept mooing! She asked her band director if there were any bass clef reed instruments (she’d played string bass previously) – no one else played the bassoon, so that was the only one! She “decided to give it a try and fell in love with the sound.”

Rachel plays several instruments as a string teacher for the Appleton Area School District. She especially enjoys playing the string bass. Playing bassoon and string bass allows her to play with a large variety of groups, including the Wisconsin Symphonic Winds, St. Norbert Community Band, Appleton City Band, area swing bands, quintets, and jazz combos. She plays with a dance band out of Tigerton and conducts the New Horizons Orchestra in the Fox Valley.

Rachel says about playing in a volunteer orchestra, “I get to make music with others that are as passionate about sharing their talents with the community as I am.”

Contrabassoon

Susan plays contrabassoon and bassoon with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, depending on what Maestro Graham needs for a given concert. She initially chose to play clarinet in the fourth grade, to be like her big sister. In sixth grade, she says “a few of us who clearly loved music were asked if we wanted to play bassoon. It was actually my competitive streak that made me strongly vie to be chosen (I had no idea what I was getting into!), but it ended up being the perfect choice for me. I love playing bassoon and am passionate about teaching bassoon at the Lawrence Academy of music in Appleton.”

Susan also plays contrabassoon with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Lawrence University ViBE (Viking Bassoon Ensemble). Susan plays bassoon regularly with the Water Street Chamber Players, a wind quintet and piano ensemble formed in the fall of 2014, as well as with various orchestras in Northeastern Wisconsin as needed. She played bassoon in the Classical Music Festival orchestra in Eisenstadt, Austria, last summer and looks forward to playing again next year.

Susan says about playing with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, “it always brings to mind the joy of playing music together as a true team of musicians. Maestro Graham’s excellent direction, inspiring approach, creative choice of literature, and understanding manner, combined with the dedication and talent of the symphony’s members, result in expressive and energetic performances that I find to be extraordinary, and I believe that the audience does as well.”

Oboe, English horn

Kimberly Hawkinson plays the oboe and will be having her Civic Symphony debut on English horn playing Holst’s The Planets. As to why she started playing the oboe, Kimberly says she “likes to think that it was the oboe that chose me.  I can recall my first day of 6th grade band. The band director had placed names of instruments along the walls of the band room and asked that we make our way over to the instrument that we wished to play. As I looked around, I did not see a place for the oboe. You see, my aunt had played oboe in school and had given her instrument to me to use. I approached the band director not knowing where I should go. His reaction was one of surprise, as most students who take on the oboe get their start on another woodwind instrument. Needless to say, I was able to get my start on the oboe and the rest is history.”

In addition to the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, Kimberly plays with Vento Winds, the Fox Valley Community Band, and on occasion with the St. Norbert Community Band. A year or so ago, alongside fellow Civic Symphony members Janet Stevens and Deirdre Rasmussen, they formed the Wildwood Oboe Trio and she also plays in a wind quintet with colleagues from the Fox Valley Community Band. Kimberly shared this about how it feels to be a member of the Civic Symphony: “I am so thankful for the opportunity to play in the Civic. To be able to collaborate with such talented musicians who come together to share their love of music with each other and the community is extremely special.”

Violin

McKenzie Healy has been playing in the violin section with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay since 2012. Her life as a musician began at age five when her Mom started teaching her piano. With her mom teaching private lessons, McKenzie grew up hearing music in the house all the time. She became intrigued by the violin and started taking Suzuki lessons at age ten. McKenzie has great memories of participation in Solo and Ensemble, recitals, girls’ choir, and the Green Bay Youth Orchestra! More recently, McKenzie became a certified Suzuki teacher and is now teaching violin at the Suzuki Music Academy of Green Bay (in the very same building she took lessons in for ten years!)

McKenzie has six younger siblings, who are either already musicians or just starting music lessons. With nine people in the house, we own over 25 instruments! Together, as The Healy Sisters, we have a blast combining violin, cello, guitar, piano, and vocals in performances for events including: The Farmers Market on Broadway, “Dine on the Deck,” and most recently, the Talent Jam hosted at the Meyer Theater.

Besides playing classical repertoire, McKenzie also arranges many of her own violin parts and enjoys playing Celtic and fiddle styles on her electric violin. In December of 2016, McKenzie received 1st place in NWTC’s student talent show with one of her fiddle compilations. She is studying Business Management at NWTC with an interest in combining that with music in the “Arts Management” program at UWGB.

McKenzie enjoys the sense of community, support, and joy she gets by being a part of the Civic Symphony. She says “It is truly special to have met such wonderful, hardworking, people who come from all different backgrounds, to share this beautiful unifying gift of music.”

Trumpet

Greg Sauve plays trumpet in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. He chose the instrument in the 6th grade because he liked the sound and could visualize himself playing it. His early inspirations were Al Hirt, Rafael Mendez, and Bobby Hackett. Greg also plays the guitar. In college he alternated gigs, playing guitar in a rock band one night and trumpet in a polka band the next.

Greg started playing trumpet in the Two Rivers City Band as a Junior in high school and has been involved with community groups ever since. He also plays in the Bay Brass Quintet and the St. Norbert Community Band. He was a member of the old Packer Band for 21 years, and has been the director of the Green Bay City Band for 28 years. Greg was a band director in Ashwaubenon for 39 years before retiring 5 years ago.

Since retirement he has spent more time playing trumpet and guitar, giving lessons, judging solo/ensemble and band contests, and traveling the world competing in field target competitions. Greg has always enjoyed orchestral music, and Civic is a great opportunity to perform the repertoire with a fine group of dedicated musicians and a superb conductor.

Viola

In the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, Rebecca Proefrock plays viola, however, she plays violin as well. She chose the viola, as she states it “after throwing my violin across the room when I was 7. Rebecca said “I didn’t like the sound of the string notes, and rather than say, “dear parents, the overtone series is giving me a headache,” I threw the violin instead!! It worked – I was allowed to switch to the more mellow viola.”

Rebecca is also a professional soprano, and plays piano as well as violin and viola. She plays with various regional symphonies as well as for private parties and weddings. As far as her time in the Civic Symphony, Rebecca shares that she enjoys playing music and creating musical beauty with her friends.

Piano

Lauren Pritzl plays the piano in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. She started playing piano when she was 8 years old. At the time she was also taking voice lessons and said that her teacher was also an amazing piano player; she wanted to play just like her and that’s how it all started!

In the past, Lauren played bassoon throughout college at St. Norbert College. In high school she played the alto saxophone and clarinet in pep band and marching band. A few years ago Lauren started her own business called ‘Lauren’s Studio of Music.’ (You can find it on Facebook.) In her studio, she teaches private piano and voice lessons to students of all ages.

She’s a rehearsal pianist for a local theatre group, has performed for many solo and ensemble festivals in the area, plays piano for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Suamico, and during the school year she accompanies students’ voice recitals.

About her Civic Symphony experience, Lauren says “playing in a volunteer orchestra means that the members are really there for the music. Music brings people together, whether it’s the performers on stage who have built a relationship with each other throughout the rehearsal process, or the audience members who may feel like they are in another world while listening, a world that the performers created for them. We all go to the same place during the performance and to me, that’s what creating music is all about!”

Bass Trombone

Timothy Kiefer plays bass trombone in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay. He has been more and more interested in the supporting role of bass instruments over the years and the bass trombone has always been his favorite of the section. Timothy also plays euphonium and tuba. To get more playing time, he is joining the Vento Winds in Appleton and is excited about this new playing opportunity.

When asked about playing with the Civic Symphony, Timothy shared this: “The fact that everyone is in the room simply because they love to play music is a pretty big win” and he adds that it gives him opportunities he wouldn’t otherwise have and that means a lot!”

Clarinet, E-flat Clarinet

Timberly Kazmarek Marbes started playing clarinet when she was ten years old. She attended the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts and Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she studied music education and clarinet performance. She has been a member of the critically acclaimed Keystone Wind Ensemble since 1993.

Timberly joined the Civic Symphony of Green Bay in 2011. Her favorite piece is Aaron Copland’s Concerto for Clarinet, which she hopes to be able to perform live with orchestra someday. In addition to CSGB, Timberly performs locally with the Weidner Philharmonic, St. Norbert Community Band, Green Bay City Band, Vento Winds, Sheboygan Symphony, and various small ensembles and musical theatre productions throughout northeast Wisconsin.

She is the music librarian and woodwind coordinator for CSGB, serves on the board of directors, and chairs the marketing committee. Timberly enjoys photography and traveling, and lives in Ashwaubenon with her husband and trumpeter Dan.