Singers
Garrison Bennett - Singer / Musician
Garrison is a singer-songwriter and musician based in Hickory, NC. With a natural talent for crafting captivating melodies and heartfelt lyrics, this rising artist quickly made a name for himself on Season 22 of American Idol. Garrison's emotive performances and signature blend of soul, blues, and gospel delivers a unique old school-retro vibe. When he's not on stage, you can find this passionate artist in the studio, continuously honing his craft.
Karen Matthews - Singer
Karen, from Marion, NC, discovered her love for singing at a very young age. Her earliest experience and inspiration evolved from singing with her family and in church. She was an active member in chorus throughout high school, and 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. She is thrilled to be in her fourth season performing with Carolina Onstage.
Maddy Curtis - Singer
Maddy is an award-winning singer and is absolutely thrilled to come back to Carolina Onstage after being a part of the Carolina Christmas Show last year! After receiving her degree in Vocal Performance from The Catholic University of America in 2015, Maddy took part in many musical theater productions, operas, and jazz shows around the DC area. 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. You may also remember her from American Idol when she was the first golden ticket winner of Season 9.
Morgan Hendley - Singer
Morgan is a 17-year-old singer from Marion, North Carolina. She is an upcoming senior 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 has been a featured vocalist in several Carolina Onstage shows, sang for her school‘s chorus, and performed the National Anthem at several regional 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!
Otto Reynolds - Singer
Otto is a native of Crouse, NC, where he currently resides with his family. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Music Business from Gardner-Webb University, he performed in multiple shows at Dollywood, even singing live background vocals for Dolly Parton. He was runner-up on MTV’s reality singing competition Copycat and performed onboard Celebrity Cruises as featured vocalist in a variety of musical revues. Most recently, he served as lead singer for Hip Pocket, a beach music band that toured the southeast. Otto is excited to be a part of this year’s Carolina Summer Show!
Ness Nowik - Singer
Ness is thrilled to return to her beloved Western North Carolina after a year abroad teaching in South Korea, and even more excited to hit the stage once again for her fourth Carolina Onstage production! A familiar face in the Asheville theatre scene, Ness is best known for her standout performances as Christmas Eve in Avenue Q (Asheville Community Theatre), Casey Clark in First Date, and Julia Sullivan in The Wedding Singer (Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre).Her passion for music was sparked at the age of four and has only grown stronger over the years, leading her to perform in festivals, concerts, and even on national stages including Disney World and the White House in Washington, D.C. Ness brings a heartfelt, dynamic energy to every performance and is honored to share her voice with audiences once again. She sends her deepest thanks and love to Mom, Dad, and Michae for their endless support, encouragement, and belief in her every step of the way.
Dancers
Macey Webb - Dancer
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.
Faith Pons - Dancer
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!
Callie Powell - Dancer
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!
Ansley Guill - Dancer
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!
Musicians
Walker Astin - Bass
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 fifth show with Carolina Onstage, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Matt Blanks - Musical Director / Co-Arranger / Keys / Singer
Matt Blanks currently serves as Voice Area Coordinator at Mars Hill University where he recently produced, directed, and conducted Dido and Aeneas – breaking a dry spell as no other full operas have been produced in the Asheville area in the last ten years. He held a post as music director of Etowah United Methodist Church for three years, where he helped them build back choir and praise team programs from Covid. He only recently came to theatrical music directing, having his debut in Haywood Arts Regional Theatre’s production of Big Fish in 2023; he will music direct Lizzie for HART this fall. Mr. Blanks has performed throughout the country as an opera singer and tenor soloist. He has appeared in recitals at MHU in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and at Western Carolina University in 2024. Stage highlights include Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Matt in The Fantasticks, Laurie in Little Women, and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. He most recently appeared as Reverend Shaw in Footloose at HART and Edgar Linton in Wuthering Heights: The Musical with Dogged Utopia Theatre. Mr. Blanks runs Soaring Sounds Voice Studio and is a certified Estill Master Trainer. Previous institutional teaching appointments include North Park University, Dominican University, and Chicago High School for the Arts. He holds music degrees from Peabody Conservatory and Baldwin-Wallace College.
Matthew Richmond - Percussion
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 fourth Carolina Onstage production!
David Cortello - Guitar
David cut his musical teeth as a teenager playing in the bars and churches of New Orleans. He spent many years as a full-time director of church music while also operating a guitar teaching studio. As a music director he wrote a great deal of music and eventually refined those skills with a Master’s and Ph.D. in music composition at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. This led to a career as a music educator at Catawba Valley Community College. Today, David continues to arrange, compose, write songs and perform. He works as a solo and duo act, plays guitar and sings with Don’t Know Jack, and subs for various bands in Western North Carolina.
Kendra Williford - Trumpet
Kendra is a North Carolina native and lives in Hickory, NC. Kendra has an MFA in Animation and Visual Effects and works as a 2D animator/Illustrator. Kendra has worked on films, games, documentaries, commercials, and notably a music video by PJ Morton featuring Nas and Stevie Wonder. In addition to her animation career, Kendra holds a BA in Music, and is an active trumpet player—playing for shows such as Matilda, Newsies, Hair, All Shook Up Hello Dolly!, Ragtime, Young Frankenstein, The Addams Family, City of Angels, Sister Act, Gypsy, Ain't Misbehavin', and more. Kendra is always thrilled to play a show, and is ever inspired by the talent on stage.
