Fall Concert October 25 KNIGHT THEATER
D I G I TA L P R O G R A M B O O K
Contents
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What’s Inside Your Charlotte Symphony Experience Concert Program Youth Philharmonic Youth Camerata Youth Symphony About the CSYO CSYO Supporters 2026–27 CSO Musician Roster About the CSO Musician Spotlight Board of Directors & Trustees Administration
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join the musical dialogue What did you think of the performance?
@cltsymphony #cltsymphony
Experience the most dazzling night of the year! ANNUAL GAL A & CONCERT
November 7 SAT · 8:00 pm KNIGHT THEATER
Kwamé Ryan, conductor · Joshua Bell, violin Robert SCHUMANN
Symphony No. 4 Max BRUCH
Violin Concerto No. 1
charlottesymphony.org · 704.972.2000
Your Charlotte Symphony Experience Whether this is your first concert or you’ve been enjoying the Symphony for years, we’re glad you’re here. Below are a few things to know to help you feel right at home.
Food & Drink A full bar, beverages, and snacks are available both before the concert and during intermission in the lobby.
Photography We welcome and encourage you to capture and share photos before and after the concert or during intermission. Feel free to use your cell phone for photography without flash during the performance, but please refrain from video or audio recording.
Applause You’ll notice that audiences applaud to welcome the concertmaster, conductor, and featured artists on stage. Some works may have several sections, or movements, separated by brief silent pauses. It is tradition to hold applause until after the last movement. If you are unsure, wait for the conductor to face the audience. But if you feel truly inspired, don’t be afraid to show your appreciation.
Need help or have questions? Our ushers and staff are happy to assist — just ask!
Concert Program
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Fall Concert Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts
Youth Philharmonic Katie Ebert, conductor Francis Scott KEY
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
Joseph BRACKETT
“Simple Gifts” (arr. C. Gruselle)
(1779–1843)
(1797–1882)
Gary FAGAN
(b. 1951)
TRADITIONAL
Appalachian Celebration Freedom Finale (arr. M. Story)
Youth Camerata Erica Hefner, conductor Antonín DVOŘÁK
Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" I. Adagio – Allegro molto (arr. M. Isaac)
Clare GRUNDMAN
Second American Folk Rhapsody
(1841–1904)
(1913–1996)
Youth Symphony Hunter Kopczynski, conductor Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770–1827)
Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
(1875–1912)
Soon Hee NEWBOLD (b. 1974)
Overture to Egmont Four Characteristic Waltzes I. Valse Bohémienne II. Valse Rustique Han’gǔl
Youth Philharmonic Conductor
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Katie Ebert
conductor, Youth Philharmonic Katie Ebert is the Director of Bands at Cuthbertson Middle School in Waxhaw, North Carolina, a position she has held since the school's opening in 2009. Under her leadership, the middle school band program has grown to serve approximately 250 students and has earned consistent superior ratings at local, district, and regional music festivals. In addition to her role at the middle school, Ebert also serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at Cuthbertson High School. Now in her 23rd year as a public-school music educator, Ebert has built a program known for musical excellence and student achievement. Ensembles under her direction have been featured as performing groups at several prestigious events, including the North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) State Conference in 2012, 2017, and 2023. In 2017, the Cuthbertson Middle School Band performed at the University of Georgia MidFest Clinic, and in 2019 and 2022 (with an upcoming performance in 2027), the 8th Grade Band performed at the Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival. Her bands have also performed at Carnegie Hall, the Charleston Music Festival, Festival Disney, and the Carowinds Music Festival.
Ebert is a five-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and was named Cuthbertson Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2016–17 school year. She has served as a district representative on the state Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) Committee and currently chairs the South Central District Solo and Ensemble Festival. This year, she was awarded the South Central District Award of Excellence. In addition to her work in public schools, Ebert is an active clinician and conductor, having recently led North Carolina's South Central, Western, and Northwestern All-District Symphonic Honor Bands and South Carolina Region 7 and Region 3 Bands. She regularly conducts district and county honor bands across the Southeast and has served as a faculty member at summer music camps hosted by UNC Greensboro and East Carolina University. Currently, Ebert serves as the conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, a position she has held for the past five years. She resides in Waxhaw, NC, and teamteaches the Cuthbertson band program alongside her husband Todd Ebert.
Youth Philharmonic Roster
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Youth Philharmonic Katie Ebert, conductor
FIRST VIOLINS
Vincent Chen Stephanie Huang Caroline Long** Arwen Liu Nicole Nyame Aadhira Rajagopalan Nilani Selvaraj Zoe Shein Elizabeth Song Annie Wang Olivia Yu
SECOND VIOLINS Matin Ayoubzadeh Bridgette Bizzel Alexandria Carter Valentin Gorkovoy Samanvi Hegde Esther Jo Hannah Lamont Aaradhya Varanasi Santhosh Venkat Christy Wan Hudson Weisner Chris Yuan*
VIOLAS
Sahishnu Ponnapati* Cambria Smith
CELLOS
Nia Hung Benedict Imparato Peyton Matthews Angel Vazquez-Morales Gannet Parker Caswell Taylor*
BASS
Charlotte Slingerland*
FLUTES
Reyansh Dantuluri Stella Sophia Do Isabella Min Akshadaa Ramakrishnan Katie Yu
OBOE
Shravan Srinivasan
CLARINETS
Aedan Johnson Cielo Olguin Ray Charlotte Reilly
BASSOONS
Samuel Adams Charlie Easwaran Iris Gofran
TRUMPET
Maggie Monastra
TROMBONES Krish Ananth
PERCUSSION Daniel Gaines
** Concertmaster *Principal Winds, Brass, and Percussion players rotate positions throughout the concert
Youth Camerata Conductor
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Erica Hefner
guest conductor, Youth Camerata Erica Holley Hefner has more than 20 years of experience in music education. She served as an Orchestra Director with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools from 2005–25 and as Orchestra Camp Director with Arts+, formerly Community School of the Arts, from 2017–25, directing a summer program for students in grades 3–12. Throughout her career, she has conducted school and youth orchestras, festivals, outreach concerts, and professional development programs, and has led collaborative performances with organizations including UNC Charlotte and masterwork performances featuring string, wind, and choral ensembles. She has also developed curriculum for specialized Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools courses, including Recital Seminar and Music Educator Apprenticeship.
Hefner was selected to conduct the Western Region Repertory Orchestra in 2020 and was named High School Arts Teacher of the Year for CMS in 2025. She received the CATO Excellence in Teaching Award in 2019 and served as a Global Music Fellow with UNC. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Music. In 2025, Hefner transitioned from music education to a corporate career in business relations and communications. She continues to work as a freelance adjudicator, performs regularly with the Carolinas Wind Orchestra, and is thrilled to remain active as a conductor with the Charlotte Symphony Youth Camerata.
Youth Camerata Roster
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Youth Camerata Erica Hefner, conductor
FIRST VIOLINS Katherine Cen Lucy Haney Purvi Selvaraj Sanjay Srinivas Sydney Tuttle Joy Wan Claire Xu Avery Yang Serena Yang**
SECOND VIOLINS Ellie Ahn Constance Cao Hai John Huang Grace Jordan Eloise Koert Darina Kucherenko Jasmin Lee Freya Lin Elizabeth Nanashima Mia Wang Serena Yeruva Leah Yuan*
VIOLAS
Pranav Bodavula Emerson Lawrence* Pedro Mello Faith Woods
CELLOS
Declan Johnson Nathan Keenan* Ethan Orlousky Adam Refaey Nathan Tackson Daniel Wan
BASSES
Vincent Chen* Aaron Dobson Evan Thompson
FLUTES
Annabelle Clemente Gabriella Idhaya Alice Mello Eva Novinskaya Icker Mayo Rodriguez Arunima Verma
CLARINETS
Soliana Demsie Sofia Rodriguez Suman Siripurapu William Thompson
TRUMPETS
Zac Bao-Dai Graham Muller
TROMBONES
Risha Jangala Tyler Purser Paulo Rodriguez
TUBA
Nathaniel Perez
PERCUSSION
Charlotte Holcman Gianna Ngetich Shanna Ngetich Theo Ottinger Anish Suresh
BASSOON
Damon Contreras ** Concertmaster *Principal Winds, Brass, and Percussion players rotate positions throughout the concert
Youth Symphony Conductor
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Hunter Kopczynski
guest conductor, Youth Symphony Hunter Kopczynski serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In this role, he conducts the UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble, leads the instrumental conducting curriculum, conducts and administers the Charlotte Youth Wind Ensembles, and guides the University Bands program. An active guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician, Kopczynski has presented at the Midwest Clinic and conducted featured ensembles and served as a clinician at numerous state, regional, and national conferences. He is a frequent guest conductor nationally and internationally. Passionate about conducting pedagogy and music education, he developed and leads the annual UNC Charlotte Band Directors Workshop and Conducting Symposium. He is an advocate for new music and the expansion and development of repertoire through frequent commissions, collaborations, and premieres, and most recently, served as a conductor for the Vienna Contemporary Composers Festival. Kopczynski comes to Charlotte after holding similar positions at Mars Hill University and in the public schools of Virginia. At MHU, he coordinated the band program, conducted the wind symphony, and taught courses in the department of music. Additionally, he
served as conductor of the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Before his time in Asheville, Kopczynski completed his graduate degrees at Michigan State University, where he held instructional and musical responsibilities with multiple ensembles, served as a Leadership Fellow in the Graduate School, and produced and directed the Musique21 New Music Ensemble and assisted with the opera. Prior to graduate study, he successfully led and developed band programs in Roanoke County and Williamsburg-James City County, Virginia. Kopczynski earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Conducting from Michigan State University. He also completed a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude in Music from Virginia Tech. His principal conducting teachers were Kevin L. Sedatole and Travis J. Cross.
Youth Symphony Roster
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Youth Symphony Hunter Kopczynski, conductor
FIRST VIOLINS Chloe Dai Inessa Dimov Lillian Dong Elena Oh Jordan Polk Lincoln Ruesch Elaina Shi** Ariya Song Rachel Wang Zhangkai Yang Audrey Zhang Neil Zhu
SECOND VIOLINS
Ryan Ahn Amisha Bharti Ethan Brainard* Anish Ghosh Kara Gorman Eden Gourdet-Bilancia Adelle Holderman Elina Tackson Izzie Whitley Erin Wu James Yuan Ethan Zhang Liana Zhang
VIOLAS
Grace Higham Ashrith Iyer* Ellen Leahy Harshita Sharma
CELLOS
Gaddiel Brewer Joshika Chappidi Clark Fan Olivia Fang Isaac Jo Dennis Lin* Edward Liu Brian Garcia Mejia Chloe Oh Nolan Pratt Josiah Shin Ishan Sundaram
BASSES
Nate Dyer* Polina Flint Abigail Murray Maria Panttser Daniel Whitehead
FLUTES
Natalie Fang Ketina Francis Clara Hatfield Cherrie Li Stella Moy Kamilah Ochoa
OBOES
Davis Hubbard Mishka Shukla Xander Wang
CLARINETS
Grace Chiu Hanna Choi Nicholas Smith
BASSOON
Connor Burch
TRUMPETS
Levi Cook Graham Muller Eric Ward Jr.
TROMBONES
Leon Baiye Daniel Paulauskas
TUBAS
Samuel Simon Nolan Rice
PERCUSSION Alex House Anu Sibu Emanya Sibu Luke Smith
HARP
Ella Higham ** Concertmaster *Principal Winds, Brass, and Percussion players rotate positions throughout the concert
About the CSYO
The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras provide extraordinary music education for young musicians in pursuit of musical excellence. Across four ensembles, students grow as musicians and individuals, building skills, confidence, and lasting friendships along the way. With guidance and support from dedicated conductors and opportunities to learn from CSO musicians and internationally acclaimed guest artists, students strengthen their musical skills
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while developing discipline, a sense of pride, and a collaborative spirit. Through performances at venues across Charlotte, including the Belk and Knight theaters, students share their talents with audiences and celebrate their progress. The CSYO is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all young musicians, with financial assistance available to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn and thrive..
CSYO Supporters
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The Charlotte Symphony Youth Ensemble Conductor Chair is made possible by a generous gift from
Debbie & Pat Phillips The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Conductor Chair is made possible by a generous gift from The Symphony Guild of Charlotte
This program is made possible in part through the support of
SITE ASSISTANTS Wyatt Stocks & May Smith
SPECIAL THANKS We would like to thank the following individuals whose passion for Music Education and our Youth Orchestra programs helped make this season possible.
The Mary Norris Preyer Fund Judy Crozier Park Road Baptist Church Leslie Gipple Visit our website for more information!
charlottesymphony.org/csyo
Kwamé Ryan · Music Director Christopher James Lees, Resident Conductor
Christopher Warren-Green, Conductor Laureate
MUSICIAN ROSTER FIRST VIOLINS
Calin Ovidiu Lupanu
Concertmaster The Catherine & Wilton Connor Chair
Joseph Meyer
Associate Concertmaster
Kari Giles
Assistant Concertmaster
Susan Blumberg°° Jane Hart Brendle Cynthia Burton Ayako Gamo Oliver Kot°° Lenora Leggatt Jenny Topilow Hanna Zhdan
SECOND VIOLINS
Kathleen Jarrell, Acting Principal The Wolfgang Roth Chair
Carlos Tarazona°
Acting Assistant Principal The Pepsi-Cola Foundation of Charlotte Chair
Monica Boboc Fengwan Chen† Sakira Harley David Horak† Tatiana Karpova Ellyn Stuart
VIOLAS
CELLOS
Jon Lewis, Principal
The Kate Whitner McKay Principal Cello Chair
Allison Drenkow Assistant Principal
Marlene Ballena Jeremy Lamb Sarah Markle Nicco Mazziotto David Olson
DOUBLE BASSES
Jason McNeel, Acting Principal Judson Baines, Assistant Principal Jeffrey Ferdon Eric Thompson†
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
Benjamin Geller, Principal
The Zoe Bunten Merrillt Principal Viola Chair
Kirsten Swanson†
Acting Assistant Principal
Christina D'Antonio† Ellen Ferdon Wenlong Huang Viara Stefanova Ning Zhao
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. ° 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
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OBOES
Timothy Swanson, Principal
HORNS
Byron Johns, Principal
The Leo B. Driehuys Chair‡
The Mr. & Mrs. William H. Van Every Chair
Erica Cice Jamison Hillian†
Andrew Fierova Paige Quillen
ENGLISH HORN Erica Cice
CLARINETS
The Robert E. Rydel, Jr. Third Horn Chair
Christopher Caudill† Richard Goldfaden
TRUMPETS
Taylor Marino, Principal
Alex Wilborn, Principal
Samuel Sparrow Allan Rosenfeld
Ayaka Miura Jesdelson Vasquez†
The Gary H. & Carolyn M. Bechtel Chair
E ♭ CLARINET Samuel Sparrow
BASS CLARINET Allan Rosenfeld
BASSOONS
AJ Neubert, Principal Joshua Hood Nicholas Ritter
The Betty J. Livingstone Chair
Acting 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
CONTRABASSOON Nicholas Ritter
TIMPANI
David Uhlmann, Principal
The Robert Haywood Morrison Chair
PERCUSSION
Brice Burton, Principal The CSO is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras.
About the CSO
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 more than 175 concerts each season, reaching more than 160,000 music lovers. The 2026–27 season marks Music Director Kwamé Ryan’s third year at the artistic helm of the Charlotte Symphony and explores resilience through music that reflects on heroism, hope, and the human spirit. Across the Classical, Pops, Movie, and Family Series, the season features contemporary voices, celebrated guest artists, and repertoire spanning centuries. Highlights include internationally acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell, the World Premiere of a new commission by CSO Spotlight Artist Levi Taylor, monumental works such as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben, and popular programs including The Music of Tina Turner and Back to the Future in Concert.
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The Charlotte Symphony engages more than 15,000 students each year through four youth orchestras; in-school education programs; instrument coaching; and Bridge, a free introductory strings program for kindergarten and firstgrade students with locations in underresourced communities. Through CSO Roadshow, the Symphony’s mobile stage, the Orchestra brings live music directly into neighborhoods across the region. Since its founding in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has played a vital cultural role in the region and remains committed to the belief that music, accessible to all, enriches and unites our community.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to ignite the human spirit through the passion and unifying power of live symphonic music.
OUR VISION
Our vision is that the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is the musical heart of our region.
For more information, visit us online at charlottesymphony.org
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GET TO KNOW
Ayaka Miura TRUMPET CSO Member since September 2026 What’s your best or most memorable concert experience as a musician? Performing Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony with the LA Phil during their Asia tour last year. Performing across Asia, including in my home country of Japan, and sharing the stage with musicians I had long admired was incredibly meaningful to me. There were moments when I nearly cried while playing. Another unforgettable experience was my first concert with the Charlotte Symphony. I was very nervous, but so grateful for the warm welcome. Making music together on that stage, I truly felt what a wonderful ensemble this is, and I feel so lucky to now be part of it. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you? I studied in Japan, France, and Switzerland before coming to the United States. Also, although I’m Japanese and grew up in a small town by the sea, I have a fish allergy, so I can hardly eat sushi!
Leadership
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Ulrike Miles, Chair Joye Blount, Vice Chair Ken Walker, Secretary Denise DeMaio, Treasurer Richard Krumdieck, Immediate Past Chair* David Fisk, President & CEO* Kwamé Ryan, Music Director* DIRECTORS Krisha Blanchard Mike Butterworth Nick Clements Sidney Fletcher Craig Froelich Carrie Galloway
Lucia Zapata Griffith Angela Helms* Fran Hyde Valerie Kinloch Stephen Makris AJ Neubert* Juliette Pryor Manley Roberts* Sara Garces Roselli Lindsay Schall Ylida Scott Cameron Sherrill Susan Shimp Matthew Spanjers Jennifer Sullivan Andrea Mumm Trammell* *ex-officio
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Linda McFarland Farthing, Chair Debbie Abels Francisco & Jeannette Alvarado Paul Anderson Ruth & Richard Ault Rachel Gogal Badillo Arlene & Milton Berkman Mary & Charles Bowman Frank Bragg Robin & Bill Branstrom Paige Ferguson Burgess & Steve Burgess Dr. William Charles & Dr. Cynthia Nortey Derick & Sallie Close Robin Cochran Catherine & Wilton Connor Jeanie & T. Thomas Cottingham III Brian Cromwell Susan Cybulski Marcia & Jason Daily Alessandra & Pasquale De Martino
Alvaro & Donna de Molina Peggy & Richard Dreher Lisa Hudson Evans Bill Farthing Karen Fox Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle Ralph S. Grier Laurie Guy Janet Haack Reginald B. Henderson, Esq. Mark & Whitney Jerrell Jeff Lee Dee and Joe Marley Gov. James G. Martin Jane & Hugh McColl Stacie McGinn Susan & Loy McKeithen Alex & DeDe McKinnon Elizabeth & Jay Monge Janet Preyer Nelson Mica Oberkfell Patrick J. O'Leary Richard Osborne
Sarah Frances Peck Daniel Peterson Debbie & G. Patrick Phillips Derek & Judy Raghavan Paul Reichs Nancy & Charles Robson Patricia A. Rodgers M.A. Rogers Frank Schall Laura & Mike Schulte Carolyn Shaw Emily Smith Will Sparks Elizabeth Connor Stewart Bob & Marsha Stickler Kelly & Neal Taub Chris & Jim Teat Kevin & Jill Walker Elizabeth & Steve Willen Richard Worf Joan Zimmerman Albert Zue
Leadership (continued)
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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF EXECUTIVE
HUMAN RESOURCES
David J. L. Fisk
Maribeth Baker
President & CEO
Human Resources Counselor
Samantha Hackett
Manager of Executive Administration & Board Relations
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Christian Drake
Chief Financial Officer
Scott Freck
Amy Hine
Erin Eady
Kensloe Norrington
Laura Lindsay
Chazin & Company, Financial Services
Lauren Woodward
LEARNING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Vice President for Artistic Operations & General Manager Director of Orchestra Personnel Director of Orchestra Operations Director of Artistic Planning
Bart Dunn
Principal Music Librarian
Jay Koziorynsky
Assistant Music Librarian
Ana Faithe Allen
Operations Coordinator
John Jarrell
Stage Manager
Byron Johns
Senior Stage Technician
Ross Jarrell
Stage Technician
Employee Experience Manager Staff Accountant
Aram Kim Bryan
Vice President of Community Relations & Learning
Dylan Lloyd
Senior Manager of Youth Orchestras
Mark Rockwood
Senior Manager of Youth Education
Bria Alexander
Youth Programs Manager
Gavin Fulker
Youth Education Coordinator
MARKETING & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Frank Impelluso
DEVELOPMENT Shayne Doty
Vice President of Development & Strategic Advancement.
Mary Nell Johnson
Senior Director of Development
Tara Spil
Director of Corporate & Institutional Giving
Tammy Matula
Director of Development Services
Josh Bottoms
Manager of Corporate & Institutional Giving
Jennifer Gherardi
Manager of Development Services & Special Events
James Popper
Manager of Individual Giving
Vice President of Marketing & Audience Development
Deirdre Roddin
Senior Director of Communications
Chad Calvert
Senior Manager of Branding & Design
Nicole Glaza
Senior Manager of Digital Strategy
Laura Thomas
Senior Manager of Marketing & Audience Development
Meghan Cole
Patron Experience Manager
Garrett Whiffen Ticketing Manager
Gather around the Orchestra for a 360° view of J.S. Bach
Nov 13 & 14 FRI & SAT · 7:30 pm Nov 14 SAT · 2:00 pm BOOTH PLAYHOUSE
Christopher James Lees, conductor Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers
Why do so many musical roads lead back to Johann Sebastian Bach? Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees traces Bach’s extraordinary reach across generations, exploring how his music became a foundation for composers long after his time.
charlottesymphony.org · 704.972.2000