WHO WE ARE
COURTNAY GILDERSLEEVE
Camp Director
Courtnay Gildersleeve is more than your typical orchestra teacher, cellist and WISTA Camp Director. Courtnay hails from Texas where she started her cello studies at the age of 10. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from West Texas A & M University and a Master's of Science in Education-Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Courtnay has been teaching orchestra to middle school and high school students for over twenty years. Currently, she teaches orchestra at Les Paul Middle School and Waukesha South High School for the Waukesha School District. Outside of the school day Courtnay is the co-director/teacher of Little Kids Rock, a youth rock band program. In her spare time, Courtnay enjoys exercising, reading, and selling real estate with Shorewest realtors.
BRADLEY HARTNEY
Camp Director
Bradley has been performing and teaching in the Milwaukee area for over 15 years. His first summer with WISTA Camp was in 1999 when he was a violin counselor. In addition to performing for hire and with community theatres, Bradley serves as Associate Director for Music Makers: The Strolling Strings of Wisconsin and is a teaching assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee working towards master's degrees in string pedagogy and violin performance.
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"I learned early on that WISTA Camp is one of the most rewarding and exhausting ways to spend a summer week. The experience is invaluable for the campers and the counselors alike. I would recommend it to all string students and to all aspiring string teachers. You will make lasting friendships and literally have the time of your life. It's not just a saying... its truth. We have so much fun and make so many memories that we usually leave in tears because its over."
ELIZABETH UPDIKE
Orchestra Director
Liz received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has taught elementary orchestra in the Wauwatosa school district since 2000. She teaches 4th and 5th grade beginning strings at McKinley and Washington Elementary schools. In addition to teaching, Liz is a violinist in the Kettle Moraine Symphony, a cellist in Wauwatosa’s newest community orchestra, the Intergeneration Orchestra, and the treasurer for WiASTA (Wisconsin chapter of the American String Teachers Association).
When she is not playing her instruments, Liz enjoys biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, tent camping, and vegetable gardening. She loves spending time with my family and friends, especially in the great outdoors. Her other favorite hobby is watching movies: SciFi & Fantasy are always at the top of the list. In addition, she is passionate about environmental education and is proud to be a founding leader of a Green Team club at both of her schools. Their goal is to advance recycling and composting efforts throughout their school community and beyond.
“Directing the orchestra at WISTA Summer Orchestra Camp is always one of my summer highlights! I look forward to sharing my joy of music and the natural world with future campers."
ANNE RIECKHOFF
Orff Director
Music has been apart of Anne's life for as long as she can remember. Learning to play organ/piano, singing with numerous choirs and performing in musical theater lead her to seek a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from St. Norbert College and Orff Certification from the University of St. Thomas. For the past 31 years she has taught in the School District of Waukesha as a general music and choral teacher. When not teaching Anne enjoys spending time with her family and her furry four legged best pal Murphy. Cooking, gardening, volunteering and travel also top the list of things she loves to do.
BRIDGET HARTNEY
Wellness Coordinator
Bridget is a retired school principal. She spent 38 years working with children of all ages. She enjoyed all the hats she wore working as an elementary school teacher, a speech pathologist, and a principal. She has always had a love for the arts and both her children became musicians. She was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and holds BS and MS degrees from Marquette University. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, baking, knitting, reading, and being our 'Camp Mom'.