Warren Nelson Here is Artistic Director and founder Warren Nelson. It was his idea to create Big Top Chautauqua. With his partner Betty Ferris, he's written over 10 different original musicals including A Martin County Hornpipe, Souvenir Views, Riding the Wind, Take It To The Lake, Whistle Comin' In, Wild River, Keeper of the Light, On the Velvet, 30th Star, Riverpants and Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star. These Chautauqua Original Musicals create an intimate connection to history through a compelling combination of music, drama and poetry woven together seamlessly with big-screen visuals of images that recreate the past. They share the life and times of those who sailed Lake Superior, rode the rails and put down roots in the Midwest. Warren is also the host at the tent during the summer and on our radio show, Tent Show Radio, which airs weekly on stations around the country. Warren's Homepage

The Blue Canvas Orchestra & Singers The Blue Canvas Orchestra & Singers as a group have some slight variations in composition depending on the performance. Members include Warren Nelson on guitar, Jack Gunderson on bass, Don Pavel on guitar, Bruce Burnside on mandolin, Tom Mitchell on percussion, Bruce Bowers on violin, synthesizer & flute and Severin Behnen on piano, and Ed Willett on cello. Phillip Anich, Cheryl Leah, Sally Kessler and Scott Kuester perform vocals. Betty Ferris performs behind the screen managing the big-screen visuals. There are also a number of musicians performing in certain Chautauqua Original Musicals including Randy Sabien, Lisa McGinley, Mary Bondeson, Jeff Eckels, Jan Lee, Ron Hobart, Liz Woodworth, Marcie Gephart, Kirsten Pedersen and Addy Kessler.

Warren Nelson & Carolyn Sneed Warren Nelson and Carolyn Sneed have directed the overall operation at Big Top Chautauqua from the start. Warren is the Artistic Director and on-stage (and Tent show Radio) host and Carolyn former Executive Director and current Show Coordinator.

Jack Gunderson Bass, Vocals, Actor Jack Gunderson started performing as a child and has studied at the University of Minnesota and the Meadowbrook School of Music. He has performed with many musical ensembles including the Edgewater 8, Robert Shaw Chorale, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Opera.

Don Pavel - 1947-2008 Band Director, Guitar, Vocals. Don's music and humor will be greatly missed.

Bruce Burnside Mandolin, Banjo, Vocals Holding degrees in History and English, Bruce studies the evolution and playing techniques of fretted instruments. He is the Artistic Director of Forgotten Wisdom, which specializes in school residencies using music to teach history and organizational skills.

Bruce Bowers Violin, Flute, Vocals, Electronic Woodwinds Bruce Bowers started playing in 1965 and is an accomplished musician playing numerous instruments. He has written film and television scores including "Beneath the North Atlantic," which was nominated for an Emmy. Bruce is the digital editor for Tent Show Radio.

Tom Mitchell Tom Mitchell Percussion, Vocals, Actor Tom is a versatile performer who excels in his work as a percussionist as well as being a fine actor, mime and vocalist. He works part time in the Community Support program working with people with major mental illness.

Phillip Anich BTC Operations Manager, Vocals, Actor Born and raised in Ashland, Phillip discarded a very promising career with the Postal Inspection Service for the lure of the tent. A UW-Eau Claire graduate with a BA in Political Science, Phillip's formal musical training includes several years with the Singing Statesmen. Phillip's MySpace

Betty Ferris Visuals Director/Projectionist As a creative partner in the Nelson-Ferris Concert Company, Betty Ferris has collaborated in the development of numerous illustrated musical histories for live performance and museum installation. She is a Communications Specialist and website editor for University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries.

Ed Willett Cello, Vocals One of the nation’s most accomplished cellists, Willett earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Southern California School of Music in Los Angeles, California. He was chosen to participate in the world-renowned Piatigorsky master class for cellists. Ed also performs with Cheryl Leah as Chance.

Cheryl Leah Vocals Cheryl Leah is a vocalist, composer, and a published poet and lyricist. Known in the music world for her staunch adherence to the pursuit of originality, she has gained the respect of a stunningly wide array of prominent musicians. Her voice is one of a kind. Cheryl also performs with Ed Willet as Chance.

Severin Behnen Severin Behnen Vocal Director, Keyboard, Accordion, Vocals Sevrin Behnen is a free lance jazz pianist and performer from the Minneapolis area. He has taught jazz piano performance, theory, composition and improvisation at the McPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis. Severin has completed several residencies at MN and WI high schools, working with students to write and arrange their own songs. Has toured and performed in Europe and Asia, as well as in the U.S. Is currently in the UCLA Doctorate Program for piano composition.

Sally Kessler Vocals, Actress Sally is a regular performer in many of Big Top Chautauqua's "House Shows." She is a talented actress, singer and mime. For the past 22 years her "day job" has been an Educational Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Scott Kuester Vocals, Actor Scott has been involved with music and theater since 1974, and he has performed in many musical lead roles. Scott has also appeared in some of Big Top Chautauqua's original historical musicals over the years, including the lead role in the 2007 performances of "On the Velvet," a tribute to the bygone era of trains and railroads.

Best Of the Big Top Blue Canvas Orchestra The core musicians of the Blue Canvas Orchestra have been performing together under the Big Top since 1986.

Andy Okey Wild Oat Audio.

Andy Noyes Wild Oat Audio.

Mark McGinley Mark McGinley is the sound engineer for Bigtop Chautauqua recordings.