STEVENS POINT – The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of Mara Prausa as interim executive director. She will begin her duties on June 25, and replaces retiring executive director Ann Huntoon.
Prausa is an active collaborative pianist, music educator and arts advocate in central Wisconsin. A product of the UW school system, she received a bachelor’s degree in music/piano from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Master’s of Music in vocal accompanying and coaching from UW-Milwaukee, according to a Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchesta news release. She studied under Michael Keller, Judit Jaimes, Katja Phillabaum and Jeffry Peterson.
Prausa brings with her experience teaching many facets of music: Music appreciation and class piano at UW-Stevens Point, private piano and composition at the Wausau Conservatory of Music, world music at Globe University, and general music at John Muir and Horace Mann middle schools in Wausau.
She loves participating in music outreach programs, according to the release. She toured inner-city Milwaukee schools with Skylight Opera Company and also traveled across the Midwest performing with Opera for the Young. Prausa has played for the Milwaukee Ballet Company, numerous choirs and ensembles and regularly accompanies faculty, student and guest artist recitals at UW-Stevens Point. She has held the position of vice president of conventions with Wisconsin Music Teachers’ Association and program director at the Wausau Conservatory of Music.
“We are thrilled with the selection of Mara,” said CWSO board president Sue Buck in the release. “She brings a wide array of skills and talent to make for a smooth transition.”
Photo courtesy CWSO.
