A Community Arts Hub Rooted in Partnership
Brookfield Living Magazine - August 2025
By Jennifer Moran, Director of Marketing and Communication
At the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. More than just a performance venue, the Wilson Center is a true community arts hub—where partnerships with regional organizations provide year-round access to music, theater, and arts education for all ages.
Among our longest-standing partners are the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and First Stage, two of the state’s most respected arts education institutions. The Conservatory brings high-quality instruction in piano, strings, winds, voice, and more, right here at the Center. Each summer, our halls fill with the energy of young learners in Music Exploration Camp.
Similarly, First Stage, Milwaukee’s nationally acclaimed children’s theater company, offers storytelling and theater training through school-year residencies and summer camps. Their programs introduce elementary students to the power of performance, building confidence and creativity along the way.
The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), one of the largest youth orchestras in the country, rehearses weekly on our Jorgensen Stage. Each fall, they return for their annual fundraising concert, showcasing nearly 1,000 talented young musicians.
We are also proud to serve as a home stage for the Elmbrook School District. Throughout the year, students ages 10 to 18 take the stage more than 80 times for musicals, concerts, academic competitions, and more—bringing families and neighbors together to celebrate youth achievement.
Our commitment extends far beyond education. The Wilson Center proudly hosts performances from a wide range of local music organizations, creating a season rich in artistic variety.
Milwaukee Musaik, a chamber orchestra of outstanding local musicians, will perform in our Dawes Studio in January 2026, presenting Violins of Hope—a moving concert featuring instruments restored from the Holocaust, in collaboration with MYSO.
Each December, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert fills the Center with festive joy and a community sing-along. It’s a beloved, sold-out tradition year after year.
The Milwaukee Jazz Institute also returns this season with both a matinee and evening Holiday Big Band concert featuring local jazz favorite Donna Woodall. Their performances bring dynamic energy and swing to our stage.
Another holiday tradition is a performance with the Florentine Opera, Caroling by the Fireplace. This joyful and reflective celebration of the season includes timeless Christmas and holiday music from around the world featuring the Baumgartner Studio Artists. In addition to the holidays, we invite the Florentine Opera to be included in our Beyond the Classroom student field trip series. The opera curates a production for elementary and teens to educate and elevate on the magic of Opera!
The Wisconsin Philharmonic, under the direction of Maestro Alexander Platt since 1997, shares inspiring orchestral programs each year. And the Milwaukee Classical Guitar Society brings internationally renowned guitarists to perform rare and virtuosic repertoire in our intimate theater setting.
Together, these partnerships make the Wilson Center a bridge—connecting artists, educators, students, and audiences in a vibrant network of creativity and community. Whether it’s a child’s first theater class, a high school orchestra concert, or a world-class musical performance, these collaborations ensure the arts remain essential and accessible in our region.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are proud to provide arts experiences that expand, inspire, and enrich the lives of all who walk through our doors.
Join us in our 2025/26 Season for performances with these local partners. Tickets can be found at www.wilson-center.com
· Wisconsin Philharmonic Matinee – Wednesday, November 5, 2025
· Juan Pablo Horcasitas (Wisconsin Conservatory Piano Chair) – Friday, November 14, 2025
· Milwaukee Jazz Institute Big Band Holiday Concert – Thursday, December 18, 2025 – Matinee at 2:00 PM & Evening at 7:30 PM
· Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert – Friday, December 12, 2025 – 7:30 PM
· Milwaukee Musaik & Violins of Hope, Presented by MYSO – Sunday, January 11, 2026 – 3:30 PM
· Milwaukee Classical Guitar Society presents Grisha Goryachev – Friday, February 20, 2026 – 7:30 PM