Seven Stanley-Boyd High School music students are preparing for the experience of a lifetime after being selected to participate in the 2027 Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music (WAM) European Tour. From June 27 through July 12, 2027, the students will join outstanding musicians from across Wisconsin for a 16-day educational and performance tour through Europe. The Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music program brings together talented student musicians to serve as musical ambassadors while performing in some of Europe’s historic venues and experiencing the cultures and traditions of five countries.
Before departing for Europe, participants will attend a pre-tour music camp where they will rehearse together, prepare for performances, and build lasting friendships before beginning their international adventure.
During the tour, students will spend 14 nights in selected hotels while traveling through England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. They will travel by air, sea, and land while visiting many of Europe’s most iconic destinations, including Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Matterhorn, and Mozart’s birthplace. Along the way, students will experience new languages, foods, currencies, and cultures while performing in some of the world’s grandest settings, including ancient churches, pristine parks, and beautiful town squares. Their final European performance will take place in Austria.
Through music, travel, and cultural immersion, the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music program allows participants to gain experiences that broaden their perspectives, build lifelong friendships, and develop skills and create memories that extend well beyond the classroom.
Stanley-Boyd High School Choir Director Louella Derrico will accompany the group as a member of the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music staff, serving as an alto coach and assisting with other choral responsibilities. For Derrico, the experience is especially meaningful because she once traveled with the organization as a high school student herself.
She explained, “I am so excited to be serving as a staff member for the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music during their 2027 European Tour! I’ll be acting as the alto coach and assisting with other choral duties. I was fortunate enough to travel with WAM in the band when I was in high school. That experience influenced my decision to become a music teacher.” She added, “I am so thrilled to now share this incredible journey with my students. The students traveling with WAM are an excellent representation of the Stanley-Boyd music program and will be fantastic additions to the choir!”
The seven Stanley-Boyd students selected for the tour each have their own reasons for looking forward to the experience, but all share a passion for music and a desire to learn through travel.
Senior Chloe Isenberger is excited to perform with singers from across the state while exploring Europe.
“I am honored that I got nominated to go on the Wisconsin Ambassador of Music Trip to Europe. I look forward to singing with choir members from all across Wisconsin, as well as experiencing the many different countries we will be traveling to. I am most excited to visit Austria, as we get to go to where some scenes of The Sound of Music took place,” she said.
Senior Easton Holmes views the opportunity as both a musical achievement and a chance for personal growth. “Singing has always been one of my greatest passions, and being selected as a Wisconsin Ambassador of Music is an incredible honor. This opportunity will allow me to perform throughout Europe, experience new cultures, and I’ll have the honor of representing our state by sharing the talent, kindness, and values that make Wisconsin special. I know this experience will help me grow as both a musician and a person, and I can’t wait to bring those memories and lessons home.”
Junior Koraline Pennala is eager to expand her musical experiences while learning about different cultures firsthand.
“I want to go on the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music trip, not only because I want to be able to expand my musical border but I also want the experience of going to other countries and learning their culture. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, to get the chance to perform in venues and meet new people I wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to meet. Traveling to a number of countries, seeing the landscapes, eating their traditional cuisine along with talking to the locals in the area, is an experience I can’t get at school or in a classroom. Going out of the bounds of the class and into another country is something I’ve always wanted to get the experience to do.”
Recent Stanley-Boyd graduate Caroline Johnson will continue her musical journey while representing her hometown abroad.
“I was in choir for 7 years and will be continuing my choral involvement,” she said. “This trip to me means not only explaining my own knowledge of the world and musical culture, but to share the love and passion of music across countries.”
Junior Maya Milliren says the opportunity will allow her to broaden both her musical and cultural horizons.
“I want to go on the Wisconsin Ambassador of Music trip because I want to be able to broaden my musical horizons and experience other countries’ cultures. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be able to perform in unique venues and meet people I wouldn’t otherwise meet. Traveling to the variety of counties, being able to actually see the landscapes, eat their food, and talk to the citizens is an experience I can’t get in a classroom. Going beyond the limits of the choir room to see the world is a dream come true for me.”
For recent Stanley-Boyd graduate Kira Lato, the tour is another step toward a future in music.
“My name is Kira Lato and I am so excited to go on the trip because it is a once in a life time opportunity and it will also help me grow as a musician. I fell in love with music back in 6th grade and now I am going to college planning on minoring in music to continue practicing it for years to come. This trip not only allows me to experience new music, but to push my boundaries and grow.”
Junior Vivian Morrow is looking forward to creating memories of her own while following in her mother’s footsteps. She said, “I am incredibly honored to be nominated for the Wisconsin Ambassador of Music trip to Europe in 2027. This trip means so much to me, as I can learn about 5 different countries and their cultures, meet new people, and enjoy singing in remarkable venues.” She continued, “In addition, my mother has told outstanding stories of when she took this trip during her high school years for band. Her time spent in Europe has inspired me to make every second count and to create my own memories during my Europe trip. This will be a great chance for my mother and I to connect through this trip and our love for music. This once in a lifetime opportunity will change my life’s point of view and enhance my musical abilities in incomparable ways.”
To help offset the cost of the trip, the students are inviting the community to support several upcoming fundraisers.
A community thrift sale will be held at The Cannery, 710 N. Broadway St., Stanley, on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m., and again on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 6-7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will also feature a bake sale and lemonade sale.
The students will also host a brat sale at Hansen’s IGA in Stanley on Aug. 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds from the fundraisers will help offset the cost of the European tour.
As these seven Stanley-Boyd students prepare to represent their school, community, and the state of Wisconsin on an international stage, community members have the opportunity to help make their journey possible by supporting the upcoming fundraisers. Every brat purchased, thrift sale item found, baked good enjoyed, and glass of lemonade purchased will help these talented young musicians take the next step toward an unforgettable European adventure.