The Dancers
- Dancer / Singer
Callie Powell
Callie is a 7th grader at Jacob's Fork Middle School in Newton and has been dancing since the age of 2. She is a student at Electric Dance Gallery and Education (EDGE) in Granite Falls, NC. Callie dances competitively in multiple styles, including jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, tap, clogging, and more. She also enjoys singing and was recently featured in the role of Ursula in her school's production of The Little Mermaid. A triple-threat dancer-singer-actor, Callie hopes to pursue a career as a professional performer in the future. She would like to thank Lucinda and Mario for this amazing opportunity! Callie also wants to thank all of her teachers at EDGE (Lacey, Cara, Evy, Morgan, and Sarah) for always supporting her!
- Dancer
Carson Reed
Carson is 16 years old and a junior at Cherryville High School in Gaston County, NC. Carson started her dance training at the age of 3. At age 5 she started competing in dance competitions around the Southeast, winning several titles including Elite Miss Dance and first place overall awards. She currently studies ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop at Above The Barre Dance & Gymnastics Academy in Fallston, NC. In addition to dancing, Carson enjoys bringing the love of dance to younger students by teaching classes at her studio. She also enjoys acting and singing in local theatre productions. She is so excited to be performing in her first Carolina Christmas Show! She would like to thank her dance teachers (Erin, Amy, and Kelsey) and her loving family for their support and encouragement. Carson also thanks Lucinda and Mario for this opportunity and wishes you all a Merry Christmas!
Charlee Kate Watters
- Dancer
Charlee Kate is 11 years old and lives with her family in Hudson, NC. She is a fifth grade student at Heritage Christian School where she is an A honor roll student. Charlee Kate has been training at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy in Valdese since she was 3, and she has danced competitively since the age of 5. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet, lyrical, and musical theatre. She competed in the Carolina Dance Masters Junior Miss Dance pageant last year. This will be Charlee Kate’s first year performing in the Carolina Christmas Show. She would like to thank Mario and Lucinda for this amazing opportunity. Charlee Kate would also like to thank her dance teachers: Melody Poarch, Debbie Huffman, Mindy Coffey, Sarah Dice, and Sara Moses.
- Dancer
Faith Pons
Faith is 15 years old and lives in Morganton, NC. She is a sophomore at Patton High School where she is the sophomore class Vice President and a member of the Student Government Association. Faith has danced since the age of 3 at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy in Valdese, NC. She is a competitive dancer with extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hiphop, and acrobatics. Faith is a junior member of Carolina Dance Masters and is actively involved in CDM events. She has participated twice in CDM’s Student Honors Intensive Program (SHIP). Faith is a huge animal lover who has raised lambs, chickens, goats, cows, and her best girl, a Great Pyrenees/Labrador mix named Cow. She is extremely excited to be performing in her 4th Carolina Onstage production, and would like to thank Mario and Lucinda for welcoming her back. She would also like to thank all of her teachers at DHDA (Debbie, Melody, Mindy, Sara, and Sarah) for their constant support!
- Dancer
Macey Webb
Macey is 15 years old and lives with her family in Morganton, NC. She began her dance training at the age of 4 at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy. She is a three-time top ten finalist of Carolina Dance Masters, placing 3rd runner-up in the Teen Miss Dance competition in 2022. An accomplished soloist, Macey has received numerous judges awards, scholarships, and other accolades and placed 1st overall in the Elite division at competition. She also participated in specialized technical training at Dance Masters of America's Student Honors Intensive Program. Now in her sophomore year, Macey is an A honor roll student at Patton High School. She is very strong in her Christian faith and attends Summit Community Church. Macey loves all types of dance and aspires to perform, choreograph, and teach professionally in the future. She is extremely blessed to be working with Mario and Lucinda and is greatly appreciative of the opportunity to perform in her fourth Carolina Onstage production.
- Dancer
Maddison Plonk
Maddi, from Dallas, NC, is a 14-year-old sophomore honor roll student at Lincoln Charter School. She began her training at age 2 and is proud to call Above the Barre Studio in Fallston, NC her dance home. Proficient in multiple genres of dance, Maddi began competing at age 5 and has performed in the Russian Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker, in promo work for Dollywood, in 2 feature films, and in several music videos. She travels to New York and Los Angeles regularly, training with Robert Battle (Alvin Ailey Company), Travis Wall, Disney’s Baby Ariel, Caley Carr, Gabe De Guzman, and Madeline Underwood. In addition to dancing, she enjoys traveling, teaching the tiny dancers at her studio, and spending time with her family (especially her 10-year-old brother, Brody!) and her 2 rescue pups, Hero and Stella. Maddi loves the Lord and serving others, with 88 volunteer hours dedicated to her community in the past year. This is her first Carolina Onstage production, and she is beyond grateful to Lucinda and Mario for this opportunity!
Zoey Oliver
- Dancer
Zoey is 10 years old and a 5th grader at Glenwood Elementary School in Marion. She began dancing at the age of 3, training in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and acrobatics, and is a competitive dancer at Le Petit Dance Studio. Thanks to her dance instructor, Candice Jones, she wants to be a dance teacher when she grows up! Zoey is a member of Living Waters Tabernacle where she performs interpretive sign language with her drama team at church and throughout the community. Zoey has a passion for babies, and her very favorite thing to do is volunteer in the church nursery. She is very excited about her first Carolina Onstage Christmas Show and is grateful for the opportunity Lucinda and Mario have provided! She is ecstatic to help spread the “Reason for the Season”!
The Singers
- Singer
Tiffanie Boone
Tiffanie is happy to return to the Carolina Christmas Show for her fourth year. You may have seen her performing around the WNC area over the past several years and in Virginia. Most recently she has been in Young Frankenstein the Musical as Elizabeth and as Justice in Rock of Ages at Hendersonville Theatre. Tiffanie is also signed with Screen Actors Talent. She would like to thank her always loving and supportive family and partner for allowing her to pursue and live her dreams. Merry Christmas y’all!
- Singer
Reggie Headen
Reggie is a native North Carolinian and graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. He sees the stage as a medium of many possibilities to connect and engage an audience. He started his professional career as a featured performer at New York’s famous Broadway concert venue Town Hall, playing to giants and peers in the industry. In fall 2018, Reggie moved to Asheville and since moving, he’s had what he calls “A Return to Jazz”. He spends his work days as a classroom assistant/music teacher at The Learning Community School and a Vocal Coach at Warren Wilson College, both in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
- Singer
Morgan Hendley
Morgan is a 15-year-old singer from Marion, North Carolina. She is in 10th grade at McDowell High School. She enjoys singing and playing the piano. Morgan has been singing for as long as she could talk, and she started playing piano at age 7. She was a featured vocalist in the 2022 Carolina Summer Show, sang for her school‘s chorus, and performed the National Anthem at several sporting events and special programs at the North Carolina State Veterans Home. Morgan is very excited to return to the stage for her second Carolina Christmas Show!
Victor Aundrey Hough
- Singer
Victor is a native of Bethune, SC and has been residing in Asheville for almost 17 years. He is husband to Shanna Hough and father of two, Victor Nehemiah and Ezra Joel. Victor has been singing all of his life in church choirs and worship teams. Even in his role as the Campus Pastor of Biltmore Church West Asheville, he still enjoys the freedom to lead worship and is very excited to be a returning vocalist in his fourth Carolina Christmas Show, as Christmas is his most favorite time of the year.
- Singer
Karen Matthews
Karen is from Marion, NC, discovered her love for singing at a very young age. Her earliest experience and inspiration evolved from singing in church. She was an active member in chorus throughout high school, and she was a top performer in the talent show. She is currently the lead vocalist for a local trio, The Happy Enchiladas, and she performs regularly with another group, Monday Rain. She enjoys playing ukulele and guitar, but singing is her greatest passion. Karen is a teacher for McDowell County Schools, and she is the proud mom of three boys!
- Singer
Julia Nolan
Julia has an extensive background in every aspect of the performing arts industry. From touring and recording in her early career to directing and leading a nonprofit for the arts, Julia’s love of her craft is evident. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the industry with young people. Growing up in South Florida brought opportunity in national commercials with the N.Y. Yankees, Kool- Aid, and Frito Lay. She attended a performing arts high school in Memphis, Tennessee, and went on a full scholarship to a conservatory for musical theatre at Wagner College in New York City.
Julia has appeared on stages all over the world as she toured with artists from Sony records, Lee Greenwood, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Rhona Bennett of En Vogue. Julia’s talents can be heard on numerous recordings and soundtracks and she has performed in shows in Las Vegas, Tokyo Disneyland, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and has been a
guest artist for numerous concerts and conventions. Julia lived in Japan for five years recording and touring with some of the country’s top acts. While there, she had several number one hits. After coming back to the states, she
was the voice of the Maybelline commercials- “Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline,” plus, other nationally recognized products like Yoplait and Shower to Shower. While living in the American West, Julia created a non-profit 501(c)(3) youth theatre- The Foundation for Performing Arts in Idaho with an enrollment of more than 250 talented
students from 2003-2007. The organization produced five productions a year. While acting as the artistic director, Julia organized several different successful fundraisers for the performing arts center, plus wrote and received grants for different arts projects locally. The foundation also received a large land grant from a local investor to build an entertainment complex, all while under Julia’s direction. Her love of directing and writing of revue shows has been seen in many different schools and theatre groups from Idaho, the coast of Georgia, to middle and East Tennessee. When Julia is not performing, she’s still working within the industry directing local youth in productions all over Williamson County, writing revue shows, and coaching and directing other talented, young people to help them achieve their dreams.
- Singer
Adam Rose
Adam is a seasoned musician, recording artist, and worship leader from Maiden, North Carolina. His gifts and talents did not begin with him; music has been a blessing upon his family for generations. Adam has played in countless shows, festivals, church events, worship services, weddings, and special events throughout the years. Yet, at the end of the day, his calling and love resides in worship. We have been called and set apart by God to worship Him! This is what we have been created to do. Adam has also worked and attended many churches and worship ministries. He currently is the Worship Pastor at Catawba Heights Church in Belmont, North Carolina. With Christ in the center of his life, along with his loyal friends, family, and fans, there will be no mountain too tall for this young man to climb. We ask that you would say a prayer for Adam as God takes him to places he never dreamed he could be. May God richly bless you and your family.
The Musicians
- Musical Director / Arranger / Keys
Brad Curtioff
Brad is one of western NC's most versatile musical artists. With an early start studying classical music at Peabody Preparatory, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from West Virginia University. He seamlessly works across many genres including classical, blues, jazz, rock, country, gospel, and musical theatre to consistently bring fiery musical interpretations. A veteran of many WNC performing organizations (Asheville Community Theatre, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Asheville Choral Society, Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, Asheville Lyric Opera), he also maintains a busy schedule performing with bands such as Lazrluvr (80’s synth rock), Red Echo Lab (soul/pop), Citizen Mojo (blues/funk), the Circuit Breakers, Mojo Brothers Blues Band and the Floyd Philharmonic (Pink Floyd Tribute). He serves as Music Director at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Asheville.
Nathan McCoy
-Saxophone
Nathan's love of music has motivated him to share his passion with others. He has extensive performance experience over the last 15 years. Having a background in both classical technique and jazz improvisation he has studied with internationally acclaimed saxophonist Timothy McCalister at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan as well as graduating with a BA in Jazz performance from the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies program at the University of Louisville. In 2010 he received the Outstanding Soloist Award at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Chicago, Illinois, and has served as a teaching assistant in the Murray State University music department. Nathan has performed with long-time Yellowjackets saxophonist Bob Mintzer, former jazz legend Chris Vadala, at Joe Piscopo's Big Band tribute to Frank Sinatra, and with the Murray State University Jazz Orchestra, the Paducah Jazz Orchestra and the Todd Hill Jazz Orchestra. He has regularly played in a variety of show bands, performing both at private events and recognized venues throughout the South and Midwest.
- Violin
Paola Manrique-Land
Paola is from Guayaquil, Ecuador and began studying the violin at age 6. By age 8, she was playing as a soloist with the Orchestra Sinfonica de Guayaquil and won the Ecuadorian National Competition at age 14. Later, she was offered a scholarship to study in the United States at the University of Louisville and received bachelors and masters degrees in music performance. While a student and after, Mrs. Manrique-Land has had the opportunity to perform with many great artists such as Smokey Robinson, Jerry Lewis, Josh Groban, Leann Womack, Amy Grant, Neil Sedaka, Kenny Rogers and Stevie Wonder. Paola’s other passion is teaching and serves as Director of Orchestral Activities for Bardstown City Schools in Bardstown, KY. She currently resides in Louisville, KY with her husband Reese Land and her two sons, Alex and Henry.
- Percussion
Matthew Richmond
Matthew is a percussionist, composer, recording artist, and educator based in Asheville, NC. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Music Department at UNC Asheville and Acting Principal Percussionist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, and has extensive experience in classical music, rock, funk, jazz, Latin music, and marching percussion. Matthew has been involved with over 70 theater and dance productions. He’s composed music for productions by The Asheville Ballet, Ann Dunn Dancers, The Road Company, Norte Marr, Black Swan Theatre, and others. His work with Theater UNCA has included Little Shop of Horrors (music director, voice of Audrey II), Into the Woods (music director), and Marat/Sade (composer/music director). He also creates All I Know, a curious podcast for curious people, which you can find at alliknowpodcast.com. Matthew is thrilled to be back for his second Carolina Christmas Show!
- Trumpet
Reese Land
Dr. Reese Land hails from Taylorsville, NC and serves as assistant professor of trumpet at the University of Louisville. An avid performer, he performs regularly in a large variety of venues as a soloist and with ensembles such as Orchestra Kentucky Bowling Green, the Brass Band of Louisville, the Louisville Brass, the Don Krekel Jazz Orchestra, and a host of others. He has performed with such artists as Doc Severinsen, Mannheim Steamroller, Neil Sedaka, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), and Joshua Bell. A devoted clinician, Dr. Land has given frequent master classes to high school and university students around the United States, Brazil and Ecuador. He holds a B.A. music degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC, a M. M. degree from the University of Louisville, KY, and a D.M.A. degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He is married to Paola Manrique-Land and they have two sons, Alex and Henry.
- Bass
Walker Astin
Walker is a gigging musician from the Hendersonville, NC area. Learning the basics from his father, Walker began at 10 years old and continued his bass training at Jim Beaver’s School of Music where he learned how to play with a band. Since then he has been performing live with a variety of acts such as Lazrluvr (80’s synth rock), Andrew Thelston Band (Guitar-Based Power Trio), CircuitBreakers Band (Classic Rock), and AstroSauce (Indie-Rock Originals). When the WNC area doesn’t require a bassist, he returns to Boone, NC where he attends Appalachian State University studying physics and astronomy.