Nike Eden BA Music and Business Minor UW-Milwaukee Graduated 2014
"No matter what song or genre you throw at her, Dr. Kruse ensures you are singing in the healthiest way, without compromising the integrity or style of the song. She strives to not only make her students great singers, but intelligent and thoughtful musicians. I learned how to sing everything from an aria to an Andy Grammer song, while also learning the mechanics and anatomy of my instrument, and the ability identify and troubleshoot problems. Dr. Kruse's constant encouragement and hunger for knowledge are unbounded and I am grateful for the time I got to study with her." -Nik Eden
Biography Nik Eden graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2014 with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (Voice). Nik currently lives in the western suburbs of Chicago where he music directs for the School of Performing Arts in Naperville and sings with the Chicago based a cappella group Vocal Chaos. Most recently Nik performed the role of Dicken in Wheaton Drama’s production of The Secret Garden.
Jacob Baker M.M. in Vocal Performance University of Colorado Boulder Expected Graduation 2018
"The time that I have spent with Dr. Kruse has been, and continues to be, truly wonderful. She has given me a technique that serves as a foundation for growing in my art. Lessons have always been fun, encouraging, and productive. The tools that Dr. Kruse has given me allow me to have a concrete understanding of vocal pedagogy, combat performance anxiety, and sing multiple genres of music. In addition to being an amazing vocalist and educator, her knowledge of the voice and vocal pedagogy is seemingly endless. Dr. Kruse inspires confidence, encourages growth, and has a passion for what she does. I wouldn’t be the singer, performer, artist, or musician that I am today if I had never met this wonderful woman." -Jacob Baker
Biography Jacob Baker, tenor, graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2015 with a BFA in vocal performance while studying with Dr. Tanya Kruse. Baker is continuing his education in the MM program at CU-Boulder under the tutelage of tenor Matthew Chellis. Baker has performed roles such as Seeker4/Preacher 1 in The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Actor 3 in Red Hot and Cole, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Alfredo in Die Fledermaus, La Rainette in L’Enfant et les Sortileges, Valjean in Les Miserables, and Nelson Deadly in Too Many Sopranos. In the upcoming 17/18 season Baker will perform Camille in The Mary Widow. Baker was a professional chorister in The Florentine Opera during their 2015-2016 season. He has also participated in UWM’s opera scenes program as Tamino in Die Zauberflote, Nemorino in L'Elisir d'amore, Vasek in The Bartered Bride, and Jaquino in Don Giovanni. Baker has participated in summer programs in both the USA and Italy where he developed language and artistry skills. Baker has participated in masterclasses ran by Martin Katz, Michelle DeYoung, William Florescu, Scott Stewart, Scott McCoy, Stephen Austin, Adrienne Danrich, and Kurt Ollmann.
“Studying with Dr. Kruse has taught me so much not only as a performer learning to improve my instrument, but as a human being. Her dedication to her students and desire to better herself as an educator is both apparent, and inspiring. Whether I’m working with her in one of my own lessons, or watching her in a master class with another student, her ability to cater to each individual is truly a testament to her versatility as an educator. Dr. Kruse has helped me immensely with finding healthy ways to produce a variety of sounds, which is so crucial in the field of musical theatre.” -Peyton Oseth
Biography Peyton Oseth graduated from the BFA Musical Theatre program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2015. Some favorite past roles include, Queenie (The Wild Party), Hope Cladwell (Urinetown), Woman 1 (Songs for a New World), Cosette (Les Miserables) and Cecily in Ernest in Love. Peyton is very excited to announce she has signed a contract with Disney Cruise Lines that begins late September 2017 as a Mainstage Performer onboard the Disney Wonder.
