November 16 Knight Theater
Welcome Back to the Symphony!
The Charlotte Symphony has truly entered a transformative new era as we officially welcome Kwamé Ryan as our Music Director this month! In his inaugural performances, Maestro Ryan leads the Orchestra in Pēteris Vasks’ Musica Dolorosa and Brahms’ A German Requiem , with the Charlotte Master Chorale, ushering in a fresh, bold vision for our future.
This season has already been emblematic of that new vision. We’ve brought incredible, diverse talent to our stages, including the renowned Sphinx Virtuosi at our Annual Gala, and we’re reaching new audiences across Charlotte with our mobile stage, the CSO Roadshow, and our immersive programming. We’re forging new partnerships, such as our performance in the Festival of India which opened the season, broadening our reach and bringing live music to communities across the city.
And here in November alone, you’ll find the Symphony performing across genres, complementing our core repertoire — from Beethoven X Beyoncé to a lively evening at NoDa Brewing Co, to a whimsical murder mystery family concert, and a program showcasing the incredible young musicians of our youth orchestras. It’s a dynamic time for the Charlotte Symphony, and we’re thrilled to have you with us to experience it all.
Thank you for joining us. Enjoy the concert!
David Fisk President & CEO
Your Charlotte Symphony Experience
Whether you’re attending your first Symphony performance, or you’re a longtime subscriber, we’d like to extend to you a warm and inclusive welcome! Below is some helpful information to ensure you make the most of your Charlotte Symphony experience.
What should I wear?
The Charlotte Symphony has no specific dress code. We encourage you to be comfortable and come as yourself in a style of your choice.
When do I applaud?
Audiences applaud to welcome the concertmaster, conductor, and featured artists onstage. Some works may have several sections, or movements, separated by a brief silent pause. It is tradition to hold applause until the last movement. If you are unsure, wait for the conductor to face the audience. But if you feel truly inspired, do not be afraid to applaud!
Can I take photos?
Certainly! We welcome and encourage you to capture and share photos before and after the concert, as well as during intermission. Feel free to use your cell phone for photography without flash during the performance, but please refrain from video or audio recording.
Concert Program
THE NINETY-THIRD SEASON
Christopher James Lees, conductor Grey Seal Puppets
Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11:00 am Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts
GIOACHINO ROSSINI (1792-1868)
William Tell Overture: Allegro vivace (Galop)
CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893)
Funeral March of a Marionette
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759)
“La Réjouissance” from Royal Fireworks Music
GEORGES BIZET (1838-1875)
Carmen Suite No. 1: “Les Toréadors”
NATHANIEL STOOKEY (b. 1970)
The Composer is Dead based on the book by Lemony Snicket
CONCERT DURATION: Approximately 1 hour, with no intermission.
Illustrations by Carson Ellis from The Composer Is Dead © HarperCollins.
Composer’s Note:
I hope I’m not giving away too much by saying that The Composer Is Dead ends with a funeral march... Classical composers have always had a preoccupation with death, partly because we are human, like you, partly because we grapple with the mysteries of the universe, partly because death sells records and always has... Someday you’ll be able to tell your grandchildren that you appreciated a living composer before that living composer became, like all composers, dead.
— Nathaniel Stookey
Librettist’s Note:
I have been asked if I might say a word or two about the text of The Composer Is Dead, and the one or two words are “Boo hoo.” The story — which, as far as I know, is absolutely true — is so heartbreakingly glum that I cannot imagine that you will be able to listen to it without dabbing at your tears with a nearby handkerchief.
— Lemony Snicket
Christopher James Lees resident conductor
Emerging American conductor Christopher James Lees brings passionate and nuanced orchestral performances to the stage, a fierce commitment to contemporary music, and a natural charisma to audiences all around the world.
Since 2018, Mr. Lees has served as Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to the more than 70 annual concert appearances with the CSO, he has annually stepped in to conduct Subscription Classical performances, including two Gala concerts with legendary artists and Grammy Award-winners Branford Marsalis and Rhiannon Giddens, respectively.
An active guest conductor, Mr. Lees has conducted or returned for performances with the New York, Los Angeles, and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as the Houston, Detroit, New World, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Fort Worth, North Carolina, Portland, Flint, Toledo, and Winston-Salem Symphonies. Additional engagements have taken him to the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Orchestra de Chambre de Paris, Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and the Music in the Mountains Festival and Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordão in Brazil.
Only the second American to be named a Gustavo Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mr. Lees made his debut with the orchestra in April 2013 and returned for concerts in February 2015.
With the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis and Atlanta Symphonies, among others, Mr. Lees has served as an assistant conductor for the world’s leading conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, Paavo Järvi, Herbert Blomstedt, Leonard Slatkin, David Robertson, Robert Spano, Marin Alsop, Pablo Heras-Casado, Stéphane Denève, Susanna Mälkki, and Nicholas McGegan.
Additionally, Mr. Lees was named Music Director of the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra in 2023.
After two summers of study with Robert Spano at the Aspen Music Festival, Mr. Lees was named winner of both the 2011 James Conlon Conducting Prize and the 2012 Aspen Conducting Prizes, respectively. In 2013, Mr. Lees returned for a third summer as assistant conductor for the Aspen Music Festival and School.
An active pianist, and equally comfortable in the opera pit, Mr. Lees has served as Music Director or Assistant Conductor for a wide array of operas: Verdi’s Aida (Atlanta Symphony), Britten’s Peter Grimes and Harbison's The Great Gatsby (Aspen Opera Theatre Center), Louis Andriessen's De Materie and Philip Glass' the CIVIL warS (Los Angeles Philharmonic), Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Mark Adamo's Little Women (University of Michigan Opera Theatre), and Nino Rota’s Il Capello di paglia di Firenze (AJ Fletcher Opera Institute).
A recipient of a Career Assistance Grant from the Solti Foundation US, Mr. Lees was also chosen for showcase on the Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation National Conductor Preview, hosted by the League of American Orchestras and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
A dedicated advocate for music of our time, Mr. Lees has premiered more than 150 works by a diverse range of composers, and collaborated closely with Pulitzer Prize winners John Adams, William Bolcom, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Caroline Shaw, Roger Reynolds, and Julia Wolfe. An equally passionate advocate for music education, Mr. Lees has brought inspirational energy to student orchestras across the country, leading ensembles from the Colburn School, the Shepherd School at Rice University, and at the New England and Oberlin Conservatories.
A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Lees holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, and has studied conducting with both Larry Rachleff and Robert Spano, as well as having participated in masterclasses with Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gustav Meier, and Jorma Panula.
When not performing, Mr. Lees can be found riding roller coasters with his nine-year-old son, reading through the stack of books by his nightstand, or training for his next World Majors marathon.
MEET
Founded in 1976, Grey Seal Puppets is well-known nationwide. The company performs over 250 shows a year from New York to Hawaii, from Canada to Mexico. Their repertoire consists of familiar fairy tales ( The Emperor’s New Clothes ), classic folk tales ( Tangle of Tales ), and original stories ( Bathtub Pirates ). Grey Seal travels to theaters such as the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, the Detroit Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
In addition to live performing, Grey Seal also performs regularly on television, with clients such as The Reimler Agency (Bojangles), WTVI-Channel 42 (local PBS affiliate), the Muppets, Silver Burdett Gin, and the International Mission Board. Grey Seal Puppets also custom-designs and fabricates mascot characters for sports teams and corporations such as Blimpie Subs & Salads, New Orleans Hornets, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
The company has garnered a number of awards including a “Citation of Excellence” for their adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm and their original story Bathtub Pirates . They were awarded the North Carolina Theatre Conference’s Award for Leadership in Theatre Arts, as well as the Puppeteers of America President’s Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Art of Puppetry. Their television work has also been honored with several awards in the industrial and broadcast categories including a prestigious Beacon Award and the ITVA Silver Reel of Excellence.
Drew Allison is the founder of Grey Seal Puppets. He is involved in all phases of production. For the past thirty years, Drew has performed regularly on television and stage including such venues as The Center for Puppetry Arts, The Smithsonian Institution, The Detroit Institute of Art, The Tampa Theatre, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
In 1994 Drew was awarded The President’s Award by The Puppeteers of America for outstanding achievement in the art of puppetry. He has received three prestigious UNIMA Citations of Excellence for Grey Seal Puppets’ productions of A Show of Virtues (2007), Bathtub Pirates (1997), and Animal Farm (1986). Drew Allison co-authored The Foam Book: An Easy Guide to Building Polyfoam Puppets and is featured in The Foam Book DVD. He was awarded a Jim Henson Foundation Grant in 2020. Also in 2020, Drew’s one-act play entitled “Good Night Mrs. Johnson” won first place in a Smithsonian Institute-sponsored Playwright Contest.
Christopher James Lees
Resident Conductor
Christopher Warren-Green Conductor Laureate
2024 · 2025 MUSICIAN ROSTER
FIRST VIOLINS
Calin Ovidiu Lupanu, Concertmaster
The Catherine & Wilton Connor Chair
Joseph Meyer,* Associate Concertmaster
Kari Giles, Acting Associate Concertmaster
Dustin Wilkes-Kim,
Acting Assistant Concertmaster
Susan Blumberg°°
Jane Hart Brendle
Cynthia Burton
Ayako Gamo
David Horak†
Lenora Leggatt
Jenny Topilow
Angela Watson†
Hanna Zhdan
SECOND VIOLINS
Oliver Kot, Principal
The Wolfgang Roth Chair
Kathleen Jarrell, Assistant Principal
The Pepsi-Cola Foundation of Charlotte Chair
Carlos Tarazona°
Monica Boboc
Martha Geissler
Sakira Harley
Tatiana Karpova
Ellyn Stuart
VIOLAS
Benjamin Geller, Principal
The Zoe Bunten Merrillt Principal Viola Chair
Kirsten Swanson†
Acting Assistant Principal
Matthew Darsey†
Ellen Ferdon
Wenlong Huang
Viara Stefanova
Ning Zhao
CELLOS
Jonathan Lewis, Principal
The Kate Whitner McKay Principal Cello Chair
Allison Drenkow, Assistant Principal
Alan Black, Principal Emeritus
Marlene Ballena
Jeremy Lamb
Amy Sunyoung Lee
Sarah Markle
DOUBLE BASSES
Jason McNeel, Acting Principal
Judson Baines, Assistant Principal
Justin Cheesman†
Jeffrey Ferdon
° Non-revolving position
°° Alternates between first and second violins
† Acting member of the Charlotte Symphony
‡ Funded by The Symphony Guild of Charlotte, Inc.
* On leave
This roster lists the full-time members of the Charlotte Symphony. The number and seating of musicians on stage varies depending on the piece being performed.
HARP
Andrea Mumm Trammell, Principal
The Dr. Billy Graham Chair
FLUTES
Victor Wang, Principal
The Blumenthal Foundation Chair
Amy Orsinger Whitehead
Erinn Frechette
PICCOLO
Erinn Frechette
OBOES
Timothy Swanson, Principal
The Leo B. Driehuys Chair‡
Erica Cice
Jamison Hillian†
Terry Maskin*
ENGLISH HORN
Erica Cice
CLARINETS
Taylor Marino, Principal
The Gary H. & Carolyn M. Bechtel Chair
Samuel Sparrow
Allan Rosenfeld
E ♭ CLARINET
Samuel Sparrow
BASS CLARINET
Allan Rosenfeld
BASSOONS
AJ Neubert, Principal
Joshua Hood
Nicholas Ritter
CONTRABASSOON
Nicholas Ritter
HORNS
Byron Johns, Principal
The Mr. & Mrs. William H. Van Every Chair
Andrew Fierova
Bradley Burford
The Robert E. Rydel, Jr. Third Horn Chair
Richard Goldfaden
Paige Quillen
TRUMPETS
Alex Wilborn, Principal
The Betty J. Livingstone Chair
Jonathan Kaplan*
Peter Stammer†
Gabriel Slesinger, Associate Principal
The Marcus T. Hickman Chair
TROMBONES
John Bartlett, Principal
Thomas Burge
BASS TROMBONE
Scott Hartman, Principal
TUBA
Colin Benton, Principal
The Governor James G. Martin Chair
TIMPANI
Jacob Lipham, Principal
The Robert Haywood Morrison Chair
PERCUSSION
Brice Burton, Principal
The CSO is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras.
Musician Spotlight
Timothy Swanson
Principal Oboe
Member of the CSO since September 2024
HOMETOWN: Clear Lake, Iowa
Fun Facts
• If I weren’t a musician, I would pursue a career in science.
• If I could meet any composer, it would be Béla Bartók because I’m interested in how he handles the intersection between classical and popular music.
• Outside of work, I enjoy biking and cooking.
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the premier music organizations in the Southeastern United States and the oldest continuously operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas. As Charlotte’s most active performing arts group, the CSO presents around 150 concerts each season, reaching more than 130,000 music lovers.
The 2024-25 season marks a transformative era under the dynamic leadership of newly appointed Music Director Kwamé Ryan. With 65 full-time musicians, the Symphony performs throughout the community in a variety of venues, from the Belk and Knight theaters to parks, breweries, community centers, schools, senior care centers, and places of worship. With its new mobile stage, CSO Roadshow, the Symphony extends its reach directly into neighborhoods, bringing live music to communities across the region.
Engaging with more than 10,000 students each year, the Charlotte Symphony nurtures the next generation of musicians and music lovers through its four diverse youth orchestras, in-school education programs, instrument coaching, and Project Harmony — which offers free after-school lessons in music and life skills to over 200 students in under-resourced areas.
OUR MISSION
The Charlotte Symphony uplifts, entertains, and educates the diverse communities of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and beyond through exceptional musical experiences.
OUR VISION
Reaching out through the transformative power of live music, the Charlotte Symphony will be a civic leader, reflecting and uniting our region.
Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra continues to play a vital cultural role in the region and remains committed to the belief that music, accessible to all, enriches and unites our community. For more information, visit us online at charlottesymphony.org
BENEFACTOR CIRCLE
$100,000+
Jacqueline B. Mars
$50,000 – $99,999
Jane & Hugh McColl* Douglas Young
$25,000 – $49,999
Anonymous
Joan & Mick Ankrom
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Dr. Milton & Arlene Berkman
Philanthropic Fund
Judith & Mark Brodsky
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$15,000 – $24,999
Anonymous (2)
Nicola & Emanuel Clark
Denise & Peter DeMaio
Ralph S. Grier
Betty P. & Jeffrey J. Lee
Sandra Levine
Tanya & Steve Makris
We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors to the Charlotte Symphony Annual Fund. This list reflects gifts received between July 1, 2023 through October 1, 2024. * The CSO recognizes donors of exceptional generosity whose cumulative giving exceeds $1 million with the designation of Music Director Society.
DeDe & Alex McKinnon Ulrike & Alex Miles
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Anonymous (2)
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In Loving Memory of Bernadette Zirkuli Biddlecome
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In Memory of Tess Verbesey
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$2,500 – $3,499
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$2,500 – $3,499 (continued)
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Dr. & Mrs. Mahesh Sardesai
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Glenn Sherrill, Jr.
In Honor of Robin Branstrom
Nancy E. Simpson
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Patricia & Morris Spearman
Aleca & Joseph Stamey
Dottie Stowe in
Loving Memory of Dickson Stowe
Dr. Mark R. Swanson
Dr. John A. Thompson, Jr. & Dr. Lee Rocamora
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$1,500 – $2,499
Anonymous
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Deems Wilson
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$1,000 – $1,499
Anonymous(5)
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Family Foundation
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Khary Brown
In Memory of Kyden Justice Brown
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Dr. Kilian Cooley
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Annual Fund Supporters (continued)
Carol
Mariam
Joyce
Johanne
Anne
Jennifer
Juliet
Barbara
Nydia
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Sally
Janet
Mr.
Debbie
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Lucy
Dr.
Sally
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Valerie
The Encore Society
The Encore Society includes individuals who have made provisions for the CSO in their estate plans. We are honored to recognize their support:
Anonymous (3)
Geraldine I. Anderson†
Richard & Ruth Ault
Baldwin Family Trust
Barnhardt Thomas Trust
Lincoln A. Baxter & Helen M. Fowler
Larry & Joyce† Bennett
Dr. Milton & Arlene Berkman
Donald H. & Barbara K. Bernstein
Mark & Louise Bernstein†
Rosemary Blanchard†
Twig & Barbara Branch
Saul Brenner
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Mrs. Joan Bruns†
Jan & Bob Busch
Dr. Helen G. Cappleman, Ph.D.† Jim Cochran† Robin Cochran
Catherine & Wilton Connor
Tom Covington
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Mr. Martin Ericson, Jr.
David J.L. Fisk & Anne P. O’Byrne
Peter & Ann† Guild
William G. &
Marguerite K. Huey Fund†
Dr. Nish Jamgotch, Jr.
Betty & Stanley Livingstone†
Lucille & Edwin Jones
Paula & Paul McIntosh
Nellie McCrory†
M. Marie Mitchell†
Cricket Weston & David Molinaro
Joan & Richard Morgan
Don C. Niehus Eva Nove
Richard J. Osborne
Gwen Peterson & Tom Hodge
James Y. Preston†
Mrs. Clayton (Dusty) Pritchett
Ann & Fritz Rehkopf
Elizabeth Waring Reinhard
Nancy W. Rutledge
Mike Rutledge
Harriet Seabrook
Mr. & Mrs. William Seifert
Morris & Patricia Spearman
Bob & Maxine Stein
Dr. Ben C. Taylor III
Mr. & Mrs. Hans Teich
Cordelia G. Thompson
Tim Timson
Jenny & Ken Tolson
Ms. Deborra Wood & Mr. Russell Propst
† Deceased
We
Government & Foundations
We are grateful for the following outstanding foundation and government funders:
The Trexler Foundation
Dowd Foundation, Inc.
The Dickson Foundation Cole Foundation
The Jack H. and Ruth C. Campbell Foundation
The Mary Norris Preyer Fund
The George W. & Ruth R. Baxter Foundation
Barnhardt/Thomas Trust
Blumenthal Foundation
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Brahms' A German Requiem
November 22 & 23, 2024 Belk Theater
Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2
March 7 & 8, 2025 Belk Theater
Debussy’s La Mer
April 25 & 26, 2025 Belk Theater ...AND MORE!
Cody Fry Christmas
December 5-7, 2024 Knight Theater
Disco Fever
January 17 & 18, 2025 Knight Theater
Havana Nights
February 21 & 22, 2025 Knight Theater ...AND MORE!
LEMONY SNICKET’S The Composer is Dead
November 16, 2024 Knight Theater
Holiday Pops! FAMILY MATINEE
December 7, 2024 Knight Theater
CLASSICAL KIDS LIVE: Gershwin's Magic Key
January 18, 2025 Knight Theater ...AND MORE!
The Muppet Christmas Carol IN CONCERT
November 29 & 30, 2024 Ovens Auditorium
How to Train Your Dragon IN CONCERT
March 14 & 15, 2025 Belk Theater
Pirates of the Caribbean IN CONCERT
June 6 & 7, 2025 Belk Theater ...AND MORE!
Comprehensive Campaign
We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors to the Charlotte Symphony Comprehensive Campaign. This list reflects gifts received through August 20, 2024.
$10,000,000+
$5,000,000
$2,000,000 - $4,999,999
$1,000,000 - $1,999,999
$500,000 -
Jeannette
$250,000 - $499,999
$100,000 - $249,000
Sally Gregory · Elizabeth & Jay Monge Steelfab, Inc. Andromeda & John Williams
$50,000 - $99,999
Cresce nt Communities Karen Fox Ulrike & Alex Miles Chris & Jim Teat · Lisa & Richard Worf
$10,000 - $49,999
Anonym ous · Wedge & Debbie Abels · Mary Lou & Jim Babb · Tiffany & Jason Bernd Frank Bragg Shirley & Mike Butterworth Joye Blount & Jesse Knight, Jr. The Cato Corporation Margarita & Nick Clements Mary Delk
Caroline & Ben Dellinger III · David Fisk & Anne O’Byrne · Michael Marsicano Dede & Alex McKinnon Posey & Mark Mealy Larry & Dale Polsky
Steve & Wanda Phifer Judy & Derek Raghavan Eric & Shannon Reichard
Sara & Daniel Roselli · Melinda & David Snyder
Dr. John A. Thompson, Jr. & Dr. Lee Rocamora Jill & Kevin Walker
$5,000 - $9,999
Brian S. Cromwell Toni Burke & Bob Gaines Sarah & Frank Gentry
Carol & Joseph Gigler · Lucinda Nisbet Lucas · Melissa & Dennis McCrory
Cyndee Patterson William & Betty Seifert Peggy & Pope Shuford
Nancy E. Simpson Drs. Jennifer & Matthew Sullivan
2024-2025 OFFICERS
Richard Krumdieck, Chair
Ulrike Miles, Vice Chair
Melinda Snyder, Vice Chair
Linda McFarland Farthing, Immediate Past Chair
Kevin Walker, Treasurer
David Fisk, President & CEO
Kwamé Ryan, Music Director
2024-2025 DIRECTORS
Mick Ankrom
Joye D. Blount
Mike Butterworth
Nick Clements
Mary Delk*
Denise DeMaio
Sidney Fletcher
Kevin Gottehrer
Lucia Zapata Griffith
Byron Johns*
Valerie Kinloch
Stephen Makris
Alex McKinnon
Sara Garces Roselli
Ylida Scott
Jennifer Sullivan
Brienne Tinder*
Andrea Mumm Trammell*
Ken Walker
*ex-officio
2024-2025 TRUSTEES
Richard Osborne, Chair
Paul Anderson
Ruth & Richard Ault
Arlene & Milton Berkman
Jason & Tiffany Bernd
Andrea & Alexander Bierce
Mary & Charles Bowman
Frank Bragg
Robin & Bill Branstrom
Dr. William Charles & Dr. Cynthia Nortey
Derick & Sallie Close
Robin Cochran
Wilton Connor
Jeanie & T. Thomas Cottingham III
Brian Cromwell
Susan Cybulski
Alessandra & Pasquale De Martino
Alvaro & Donna de Molina
Peggy & Richard Dreher
Lisa Hudson Evans
Karen Fox
Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle
Todd Gorelick
Ralph S. Grier
Laurie Guy
Janet Haack
Reginald B. Henderson, Esq.
Mark & Whitney Jerrell
Jeff Lee
Gov. James G. Martin
Jane & Hugh McColl
Susan & Loy McKeithen
George McLendon
Elizabeth & Jay Monge
Mica Oberkfell
Patrick J. O’Leary
Debbie & G. Patrick Phillips
Paul Reichs
Nancy & Charles Robson
Patricia A. Rodgers
M.A. Rogers
Lindsay & Frank Schall
Laura & Mike Schulte
Carolyn Shaw
Emily & Zach Smith
Bob & Marsha Stickler
Kelly & Neal Taub
Adam Taylor Braxton Winston
Richard Worf
Joan Zimmerman
Albert Zue
EXECUTIVE
David J. L. Fisk, President & CEO
Samantha Hackett, Executive Administrator
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Scott Freck, Vice President for Artistic Operations & General Manager
Carrie Graham, Senior Director of Artistic Planning
Tim Pappas, Director of Operations
Bart Dunn, Principal Music Librarian
Nixon Bustos, Senior Music Librarian
Emily Schaub, Assistant Music Librarian
Erin Eady, Senior Manager of Orchestra Personnel
Claire Beiter, Artistic Operations Manager
John Jarrell, Stage Manager
DEVELOPMENT
Shayne Doty, Vice President of Development
Mandy Vollrath, Director of Corporate & Institutional Relations
Libby Currier, Director of Individual Giving
Tammy Matula, Senior Manager of Development Operations
Jennifer Gherardi, Development Manager - Campaign & Special Events
Megan Woolbright, Annual Fund Manager
Noel Kiss, Advancement Associate
Josh Bottoms, Institutional Giving Coordinator
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Christian Drake, Vice President of Finance & Administration
Chazin & Company, Financial Services
Amy Hine, HR Coordinator & Office Administrator
Channing Williams, Accounting Associate
HUMAN RESOURCES
Maribeth Baker, Human Resources Counselor
LEARNING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Aram Kim Bryan, Vice President of Learning & Community Engagement
Dylan Lloyd, Senior Manager of Youth Orchestras
Mark Rockwood, Education & Community Programs Manager
Michaela Sciacca, Project Harmony Manager
Gavin Fulker, Education & Community Programs Assistant
Lily Moore, Youth Orchestras Assistant
Bria Alexander, Learning & Community Engagement Assistant
MARKETING & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Frank Impelluso, Vice President of Marketing & Audience Development
Deirdre Roddin, Director of Institutional Marketing & Communications
Nicole Glaza, Senior Manager of Digital Marketing
Laura Thomas, Senior Manager of Marketing & Audience Development
Chad Calvert, Visual Communications Manager
Meghan Starr, Patron Experience Manager
Garrett Whiffen, Ticketing Manager
December 7
11:00 am · Knight Theater
Join us for Charlotte’s most cherished holiday tradition as we bring beloved seasonal classics to life. With dazzling arrangements, heartwarming melodies, and special surprises by Santa and friends, this joyful celebration is sure to delight audiences of all ages!
Christopher James Lees, conductor
Charlotte Master Chorale
