Meet the Cast

The Dancers

Dancers

- Dancer

Faith Pons

Faith is 17 years old and lives in Granite Falls, NC. She is a junior who is dually enrolled at Patton High School and Western Piedmont Community College. Faith has danced since the age of three at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy in Valdese. She is a competitive dancer with extensive training in ballet, lyrical, tap, hip hop, jazz, and acrobatics. Faith is a junior member of Carolina Dance Masters, and has participated in numerous CDM events, including the Miss Dance Pageant, Student Honors Intensive Program, and Winter Workshop. In addition to dancing, Faith is an active member at Waterlife Church in Lenoir, where she is a member of the Host Team. Faith is also a member of the Patton High School Anchor Club and National Honor Society. This is Faith's 6th show with Carolina Onstage, and she couldn't be more excited! Faith would like to thank Mario and Lucinda for the opportunity to work with them, and would also like to thank all of her dance teachers for their support--Debbie, Melody, Mindy, Sarah, and Sara!

- Dancer

Callie Powell

Callie is an 8th grader at Jacobs Fork Middle School. She lives in Hickory, NC with her mom, dad, and two dogs, Lady and Abby. Callie dances at Electric Dance Gallery and Education in Granite Falls and trains at numerous dance locations in the area. A competitive dancer for 8 years, she studies and performs multiple dance genres including jazz, tap, musical theater, hip hop, clogging, lyrical, and contemporary. She has won multiple scholarships, awards, and titles including Miss Teen Limitless Endless Talent 2024 and Teen Miss Inspire Asheville 2024. She currently holds the title of Young Miss Fred T. Foard High School. She is extremely excited for her third Carolina Onstage show and thanks Mario and Lucinda for the opportunity to showcase her talent this summer!

- Dancer

Macey Webb

Macey is 17 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 six-time top ten finalist of Carolina Dance Masters, most recently placing 2nd runner-up in the 2024 Miss Dance competition. An accomplished soloist, Macey has received numerous judges awards, scholarships, and other accolades and placed 1st overall in the Elite division at competition. She has trained at summer intensive classes through Soar Studios, attended numerous conventions, and was recently awarded Protege Performer at KAR Dance Convention for the 2024-2025 season. Macey is very strong in her Christian faith and attends Summit Community Church. She 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 sixth Carolina Onstage production.

- Dancer

Ansley Guill

Ansley is 17 years old and lives in Hudson, NC. She enjoys attending school at Caldwell Early College High School where she plans to graduate with an associate’s degree in science and an associate’s degree in art. Ansley started dancing at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy at age 4, training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. She began taking private lessons at age 6, performing with the competition team by age 7, and competing as a soloist by age 8. Ansley’s favorite styles of dance are contemporary and jazz, which allow her to express herself and have fun. She enjoys choreographing her own solos and is currently working on her third routine. Ansley is very grateful for every opportunity her parents and studio have provided for her and for all the support she has been given by family and friends!

The Singers

- Singer

Morgan Hendley

Morgan is a 16-year-old singer from Marion, NC. She is in 11th grade at McDowell High School. She enjoys singing and playing the piano. Morgan has been singing for as long as she could talk and started playing piano at age 7. She was a featured vocalist in the Carolina Christmas 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 the Carolina Summer Show, her fifth production with Carolina Onstage!

- Singer

Maddy Curtis

Maddy is an award-winning singer and is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this show! After receiving her degree in Vocal Performance from The Catholic University of America in 2015, she took part in many musical theater productions, operas, and jazz shows around the DC area. She and her little family recently moved to Richmond, Virginia, and she has been performing in its vibrant music scene ever since. She was seen most recently in Asheville Musical Theatre's production of Songs for a New World. Some other favorite past roles include: Jo March in Little Women the Musical, Nancy in Oliver!, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Eponine in Les Miserables. She performed in the 2024 Carolina Christmas Show and is excited to return to NC for the Carolina Summer Show!

- Singer

Karen Matthews

Karen 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 was a top performer in the talent show. She is currently the lead vocalist for a local trio, The Happy Enchiladas, and regularly performs 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 is the proud mom of three boys! Karen first performed in the Carolina Summer Show and this will be Karen’s second time performing in the Carolina Christmas Show.

Singers

- Singer

Lucy Weaver

Lucy is a 26 year-old Hickory, NC native. Born on Christmas Day, Lucy has always felt a special connection to the holiday season. A graduate of UNC Asheville, where she earned a degree in Classical Vocal Performance, Lucy has built a diverse career on stage since her debut at 11 as the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Her recent credits include Horn in the West (Ensemble), Mutz-Mag (Mutz-Mag), and Godspell for which she won Foothills Perform Arts’ award for Best Character Actress portraying herself! With her actual birthday falling on Christmas Day, the best present Lucy could ask for would be performing for everyone this holiday season.

- Singer

Scott Pennell

Born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina, Scott grew up in a very musical family, where singing hymns and gospel music was part of his everyday life. He landed a job singing on cruise ships, entertaining people all around the world. Scott was a top 70 country recording artist in Cash Box Magazine for 3 consecutive years, and he was one of the magazine's #1 indie artists during this time. He was also a top 10 country recording artist in several European countries. His newest album release is an unplugged inspirational bluegrass/folk mix of secular and Christian songs. His heartfelt goal is sharing his God-given talent to touch peoples' lives and to make a difference.

- Singer /Actor

Jeff Luckadoo

Jeff is a singer / songwriter / performer from Mount Holly, NC. As a singer / songwriter and front man for the Jeff Luckadoo band, he has opened for the Marshall Tucker Band and John Anderson and was a 2 time winner of Best Country Artist for the Charlotte Music Awards. As a SAG actor, Jeff has done various work in film and commercials and fondly remembers his time on stage at CPCC and UNCC. Jeff is excited to make his debut at the Carolina Christmas Show.

The Musicians

- Musical Director / Arranger / Keys

Brad Curtioff

Brad (Musical Director/Arranger/Keys) 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 Circuitbreakers, Saddletramp (retro country), and The Big Throwback (classic rock/soul). Additionally, he serves as Music Director at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Asheville.

- Bass

Walker Astin

Walker, voted the #1 bassist in the 2024 Best of WNC contest by Mountain Xpress, has been stunning audiences in the WNC region (and beyond) since he was 10 years old. Walker can be seen performing live with a variety of acts such as Lazrluvr (80’s synth rock), Andrew Thelston Band (guitar-based power trio), Calculated Error (classic rock), and Larkspur (acoustic toe-tappers). He is grateful for the opportunity to return for his fourth show with Carolina Onstage, and hopes you enjoy the show!

- 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!