Bruce Tinker
Executive Artist & Director, Grand Rapids Civic Theater
Brue Tinker has been the Executive and Artistic Director at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre since July, 1999. He has directed over 100 plays and musicals for community, professional and university theatres. His Civic productions include Grease, Dreamgirls, Ragtime, Sweeny Todd, Singin' in the Rain and Fences. Bruce has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from University of Evansville, Indiana and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from University of Nebraska. Prior to his work with Civic, Bruce was the Managing Artistic Director for the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota and served on the board of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT).
John D. Gonzalez
Entertainment Editor - Grand Rapids Press
John "Gonzo" Gonzalez is the Entertainment and Features Editor of the Grand Rapids Press. Since 1990 he has worked in various capacities at The Press, serving as music critic, TV writer and reviewer. Today he writes his Top 5 column for The Press, and his blog "Going Gonzo" appears on Mlive.com. He is very active on social media, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. He has interviewed many of the former "American Idol" contestants and winners, including Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Ruben Studdard, LaKisha Jones and Kalamazoo's own Matt Giraud. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University. His hometown is Capac, in Michigan's thumb. He is married with three sons.
Lynne Brown-Tepper
Managing Director, Circle Theatre
Lynne Brown-Tepper joined the staff of Circle Theatre as Production Manager in 2000 and was appointed Managing Director in 2008. Lynne has appeared on the Circle stage over the years in such shows as: Pippin (Grand Award nomination), Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got The Will? (Grand Award nomination), The Full Monty, Nine (2006 & 1986), Follies, Into The Woods (1992 & 2002), I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Romance/Romance, Mack & Mabel, Hair, Sunday in the Park With George (1988) and Baby (1987). Before joining the Circle staff Lynne worked in television production in Los Angeles.
Lynne's last name may sound familiar to theatregoers. She is married to actor Matt Tepper and is the daughter-in-law of Director/Choreographer Ken Tepper.
Lynne was a member of the Withered Roots Theatre Project in Los Angeles and studied at the Singers Forum and the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York. Lynne has performed in various cabaret venues and has appeared with the Saginaw Symphony and the Bijou Orchestra. Lynne's voice over radio and television work can also be heard nationally and regionally.
Kathryn Stieler
Dr. Kathryn Stieler, soprano, lights up the concert and operatic stage with works that span from the Baroque period to premieres of contemporary composers from around the world. Among her achievements, she has performed with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Toledo Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Holland Symphony, American Kantorei (St. Louis, MO), Detroit Oratorio Society, Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, Toledo Choral Society, Manitou Music Festival, Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival and the Académie Francis Poulenc in Tours, France. She is winner of the Metropolitan Opera District Competition and a scholarship for study at the American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Dr. Stieler is presently an Associate Professor of Voice at Grand Valley State University and a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Todd Chance
105.3 HOTFM
Todd Chance is the host of the popular radio show the Todd Chance Radio Show which can be heard on 105.3 HOT FM from 6AM-10AM. Born and raised in the Midwest, Todd blends pop culture with topics from the nation's "hot list" and compelling local stories making his show a daily requirement for those who want to stay in the know. A radio veteran, he has been on air across the Midwest for more than a decade. You can also see him regularly on FOX 17's 6pm newscast with Tim Doty for the HOT on FOX segments and during high school football season for the FOX Blitz Pre-game show.
Ellen Tailor
105.3 HOTFM
Ellen Tailor co-hosts the Todd Chance Radio Show on 105.3 HOT FM. Catch up on the latest entertainment news with the Hot Hollywood Headlines weekdays from 6-10a. Ellen brings celebrity gossip to other Citadel Broadcasting radio stations including The Kevin Matthews Show on 97 LAV-FM and Newstalk 1340 WJRW. An avid American Idol fan, she enjoys playing songs from past contestants on both 105.3 HOT FM and Saturdays on 94.5 The New Thunder Country. Ellen built a friendship with former West Michigan Idol contestant Matt Giraud after a not-so-secret obsession with him as he competed on Season 8 of American Idol. Ellen undoubtedly has her finger on the entertainment pulse and recognizes super-star potential.
