Andy Hacker
Pewaukee, WI Director Alma Maters: Carroll University (Bachelor of Music Education), Cardinal Stritch University (Master of Science in Educational Leadership) Profession: Music Educator Outside of performing with Blaskapelle Milwaukee, Andy performs regularly in the Milwaukee area on tuba, euphonium, and bass trombone. Andy is an avid boater, and enjoys collecting and playing various brass instruments. He also is the principal tubist and assistant conductor with the Milwaukee Philharmonic, and is the music director and conductor with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra - Wind Ensemble. When he isn't boating, conducting, or playing, you'll find him spending time with his Yorkies, Gus and Arlo! He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education (DMA) degree from Boston University. |
Mallory Merkel
Menomonee Falls, WI Clarinet and Librarian Alma Mater: Carroll University (Bachelor of Music Education), Kent St. University (Master of Music in Music Education) Profession: Music Educator As one of the original members of Blaskapelle Milwaukee, Mallory happily shares with others that she plays in a polka band! When Mallory isn't performing or teaching music, she enjoys reading and various DIY projects including: jewelry making, home décor, amateur furniture refinishing, and floral arrangements! Fun fact - she was the florist at her own wedding! Mallory and her husband Nick joined the "dog parent" club, and love spending time with their Yorkie, Leo (named after Leonard Bernstein.) Side note: Mallory and Nick's puppy Leo is the brother to Andy's Arlo - they were delivered by stork the same day! Amazing! She also is quoted publicly by Vandoren USA about reed care. Rotate your reeds with Vandoren! |
Luke Miskov
Milwaukee, WI Clarinet Alma Mater: Carroll University (Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies) Profession: Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant When Luke isn't performing or practicing in the field of medicine, you can catch him on a different field - the soccer field! Luke loves soccer, and played on the Carroll University Men's soccer team throughout college! If you can't get along with Luke, you're in rough trouble! |
Sarah Zawadiwsky
Milwaukee, WI Clarinet and Personnel Manager Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Applied Woodwind Performance & Music Education) Profession: Instrument Specialist at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) When Sarah isn't performing with Blaskapelle Milwaukee, you can find her performing with DIY Chamber Music in Milwaukee! She is a self proclaimed 65 year old trapped in the body of a 27 year old! She enjoys gardening, crocheting, being a tea snob, home improvement projects, and spoiling her two cats. She also like to explore new places (when time allows!) |
David Byrne
Madison, WI Trumpet Alma Mater: Carroll University (Marketing) Profession: Senior Media Planner/Buyer David is one of the original founding members of Blaskapelle Milwaukee! When Dave isn't working or performing on various instruments, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, traveling and spending time with his dog, Copper! His wife Carrie, is a hoot and a half besides being one of the best and funniest humans alive. |
Phil Rothschadl
Waukesha, WI Trumpet/Flügelhorn Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin-Madison (Music) Profession: Music Educator Phil is a master of all wind instruments and one of the best dads (and husbands) around. When you don't see him with Blaskapelle Milwaukee, you see him EVERYWHERE else performing on a multitude of instruments or teaching them! Phil is an alumnus of the UW-Madison Marching Band and he's an accomplished martial artist in addition to a musician, so peaceful negotiations are his forte. Phil also brews the most delicious (and potent, as we've learned quickly) biers and is a connoisseur of bourbon and whisk(e)y. Aside from those awesome credentials, he's one of the best and nicest guys you will EVER meet! |
Steven W. Ehrhardt II
Milwaukee, WI Trumpet/Flügelhorn Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Music) Profession: Freelance Musician Steven is a professional musician who plays with a multitude of great ensembles including the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra, The Milwaukee Philharmonic, The Big Style Brass Band, and as a freelance musician. In addition to those duties he also collaborates with Third Space Brewery, and works as a Clinical Office Assistant with Advocate Aurora Health. If you don't know, his nickname is, affectionally, "Fireball" - just ask for the story! It's really, really, good! |
Pete Lange
Waukesha, WI Trumpet/Flügelhorn Alma Mater: Illinois University, Carroll University Profession: Director of Sales at Tim O'Brien Homes and Musician Pete is someone you meet once and want to keep in your life forever. Make sure to look for his jazz combos around town where you'll hear him sing, play trumpet, and entertain for hours on end. Not only is a wildly success person in business and music, he is a caring teacher, model husband and dad, and life of every party. At the end of every gig we play, you'll hear Pete saying farewell to his musician friends with his signature line, "thanks for the music!" Well, Pete, we say thank you for all of your great music. Prosit! |
Alex Nettesheim
Waukesha, WI Euphonium Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Music) Profession: Music Educator Though Alex plays Euphonium with Blaskapelle Milwaukee, his primary instrument is the trombone! When Alex isn't performing, he is teaching music in the Waukesha School District. He is responsible for for the youth of today, and, let me tell you, they are in the best hands. He has a son (Martin), with his awesome wife, Kimberly (who also teaches music and performs on French Horn). Martin's the happiest kid in the world; come to a show and see for yourself! When you meet the Nettesheim parents, you won't question why Martin's the happiest kid in the county. |
Rick Seybold
Grafton, WI Tenor Horn Alma Mater: Northwestern University Profession: Information and Technology Director Rick is an accomplished low brass musician in a wide range of ensembles in addition to his day job. He has a wonderful family and you may even have heard them perform around town together. Take a look the next time you hear an area orchestra, and you'll probably find Rick in the slide section! |
Walter Gaskew IV
Chicago, IL Trombone Alma Maters: Carroll University (Bachelor of Science), Adler University (Forensic Psychology) Profession: Mental Health Clinician Finally, somebody who can tell us why we are the way we are! Walter comes to us from south of the Wisconsin border, but rest assured, he's a Packer fan! Walter is a movie aficionado, lover of sports, music, and, as he says, "all around nerd." Look out, he also studies the martial arts and is our official bouncer! Also, he just so happens to be Walter IV (the fourth), which means he is the most updated model but doesn't come with glitches! |
Doug Hoeft
Cottage Grove, WI Trombone Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin-Madison (Music Education) Profession: Music Educator Doug regularly performs with groups in the area on trombone, and is our resident expert in all things Marching Band! While in college, Doug was a member of the acclaimed University of Wisconsin-Madison Marching Band! Go Badgers! |
Dave "Smitty" Smith
Brookfield, WI Trombone Alma Maters: UW-Steven's Point (Bachelor of Science - Forestry), Marquette University (Bachelor of Science - Mathematics) Profession: Retired High School Mathematics (Calculus) Instructor Smitty is a Chicago Native, and an avid Cubs, and Blackhawks fan! Outside of Blaskapelle Milwaukee, Smitty performs in many groups in the Milwaukee area on trombone. When you hear jazz trombone around town, you will hear Smitty! "Everybody knows that's Smitty!" - gig quote. "Smitty reads books." - gig quote. "There ain't no off position to the genius switch." - David Letterman, and, now, Smitty. |
Dan Malicki Waukesha, WI Tuba Alma Maters: University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, University of Minnesota Profession: Traffic Operations Engineer Dan is an accomplished tubist, and formerly performed with marching bands and in drum corps! When Dan isn't performing with Blaskapelle Milwaukee, he enjoys running, playing softball, performing with the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, and bowling; yes, he has bowled a perfect 300 game! |
Charlie Bloom
Milwaukee, WI Tuba Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Bachelor of Music) Profession: Environmental Health State of WI - Dpt. of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection Staff Sgt. Bloom is an accomplished low brass and guitar player performing in a multitude of ensembles with the Army National Guard in Madison, WI. His mission is music and he's a deadeye. Charlie enjoys spending time with his family, serving our country, and lots of time outdoors! |
Ben Haimann
Milwaukee, WI Percussion Alma Maters: University of South Carolina (Bachelor of Music - Music Education) The Ohio State University (Master of Music in Percussion Performance) Profession: Freelance Percussionist and Music Educator |
