About Us

Kristen Flak-Solom, violin, lives in Middleton and teaches orchestra in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. She has played violin since she was 10 years old and has degrees in Music Education from Luther College and the University of St. Thomas. She has played in many orchestras and chamber ensembles in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Additionally, she enjoys playing the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle. Kristen serves as the YSQ manager and works with clients directly when planning events.

Tina Westphal Thompson, violin, is originally from Middleton, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with degrees in Special Education and Music Performance. Beginning violin studies when she was 3 years old, she worked for many years with Marjorie Peters and with Professor Tyrone Greive. Tina has performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, is active in church music, and plays bluegrass fiddle with Annie and the Oakies. Tina works in the UW School of Education and teaches violin privately. 

Nancy Dunn Kurr, viola, lives in Middleton, teaches orchestra in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, and maintains a private string studio at her home. She obtained a degree in Viola Performance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she studied with Sally Chisholm and Jae-Kyung Kim. She also is certified in Early Childhood Education. She teaches adult string instruction through the UW-Continuing Education. She has taught as adjunct string faculty at Edgewood College, and has performed with many orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. 

Steve Kurr, violin and viola, teaches orchestra and music history at Middleton High School. He received undergraduate degrees in Viola Performance and Mathematics from UW-Platteville, a master’s degree in Musicology from UW-Madison, and has completed doctoral course work at UW-Madison with specialties in mid-18th-century Viennese symphonies and orchestral conducting.  Steve also conducts the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Opus One ensemble, has been teaching continuing education courses in music appreciation since 1997, produces Connect Events for the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, is a Master Adjudicator for the Wisconsin School Music Association, was a Kohl Teaching Fellowship recipient in 2017, won the UW-Madison Rockwell Award for Cooperating Teachers in 2018, and is Founding Conductor Emeritus for the Middleton Community Orchestra. 

Phila Poff, cello, is a Madison native graduating from West High and the University of Wisconsin. She has played chamber music for many years. She started cello when she was 6 years old and played in the Madison Symphony for 45 years. She has also played many chorale works, musicals, opera and ballet. Phila has enjoyed teaching many budding young cello students through the years.