- Singer, Vocal Captain

is happy to return to the Carolina Christmas Show for a third consecutive year. You may have seen her recently in the Carolina Summer Show or at Parkway Playhouse as Raylean from In The Middle of Nowhere and in the musical Working. She has also performed in many local theatres over the years and at Busch Gardens Virginia, and you may have caught her singing the National Anthem at an Asheville Tourists baseball game. She wants to thank her family, partner and friends for their love and support. Merry Christmas y’all! 

Brad Curtioff

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 Rebecca & the Reckoning (classic country), Lazrluvr (80’s synth rock), Red Echo Lab (soul/pop), Citizen Mojo (blues/funk), 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.

- Singer

Morgan

is a 14-year-old from Marion, North Carolina. She is very excited and proud to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Carolina Summer Show. She enjoys singing and playing the piano. Morgan has been singing for as long as she could talk, often using music as a form of creativity and self-expression. Morgan has taken part in her school’s chorus and performed the Star Spangled Banner at meets for her swim team and special school programs. Music has drawn her closer to her peers, and she is positive her love for it will carry on.

Faith 

is 14 years old and lives in Morganton, NC with her parents and 2 older brothers. She is a rising freshman at Patton High School. Faith has danced since the age of three at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy in Valdese, NC. She is a competitive dancer with extensive training in ballet, lyrical, tap, hip hop, and jazz dance. Faith is a junior member of Carolina Dance Masters and has participated in numerous CDM events, including the Miss Dance Solo Title Pageant, Student Honors Intensive Program, and Winter Workshop. In addition to dancing, Faith raises and shows lambs with the Catawba Valley Showmanship Circuit. She currently has a flock of 5 lambs, including babies Randy and June. Faith is excited to be performing in the first Carolina Summer Show and would like to thank Mario and Lucinda for the opportunity. She would also like to thank all of her DHDA teachers (Debbie, Melody, Katie, Sarah, Mindy, and Sara) for their support!

is a native of Bethune, SC and has been living in Asheville for 15 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. After performing in the Carolina Christmas Show in 2019 and 2021, he is excited to expand his style of singing (just a little!) in the Carolina Summer Show.

Walker Astin

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 Trio (Guitar-Based Power Trio), Eric Congdon and the CircutBreakers (Classic Rock), and The Ross Osteen Band (Blues). When the WNC area doesn’t require a bassist, he returns to Boone, NC where he attends Appalachian State University studying physics and astronomy.

is excited and proud to be performing in her third Carolina Onstage show! Ness moved to Asheville in 2013 from Durham, North Carolina and made her Asheville performance debut in Asheville Community Theatre's production of Avenue Q as Christmas Eve. Other theatrical credits include her roles as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical, Marty Maraschino in Grease, Casey Clark in First Date and most recently, Julia Sullivan in the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre's production of The Wedding Singer. Her fervent love of music also includes choral ensemble singing, providing notable performance experiences at local festival events, Disney World, and the White House, Washington DC. Off stage, she enjoys the simple joys of life like spending time with her family, friends, and best fur-end, Bug! Ness is thrilled to share the stage once again with WNC's most talented performers! As always, thanks mom and dad!

 is 14 years old and lives with her family in Morganton, NC. She began her dance career at the age of 4 at Debbie Huffman Dance Academy. She is a three-time top ten finalist of Carolina Dance Masters, placing as the most-talented non-finalist. She recently placed second overall at Epic Nationals in TN and has won numerous awards, scholarships and other accolades at many various competitions. She has participated in specialized technique training, including the Dance Masters of America Student Honors Intensive Program. Macey is a freshman at Patton High School, and is also an A honor roll student. She is very strong in her Christian faith, and attends Summit Community Church. Macey loves all types of dance, and aspires to dance professionally, as well as choreographing and teaching dance in the future. She is extremely blessed to be working with Mario and Lucinda, and is greatly appreciative of the opportunity to perform in the Carolina Summer Show. 

- Saxophone

Nathan McCoy

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 he 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.

Karen Matthews

is a native of Marion and an employee with McDowell County Schools. She has roots in gospel and country music but enjoys performing a variety of genres. She is currently part of a local trio Karen Michelle and The Happy Enchiladas (country, blues, and soft rock) and does background vocals for a local band The Outsiders (country, blues, and rock). She performs with her brother across several counties as a duet called Monday Rain (old and new country). She enjoys playing ukulele and singing anytime she gets the chance. She is very excited to be a part of the Carolina Summer Show. 

- Stage Manager

Ashley Causby-Hicks

is a theatre technician/stage manager based in the foothills of North Carolina. Ashley has been involved in theatre since her sophomore year of high school. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in theatre design and technology. After graduation she worked at Alabama Shakespeare Festival as a Production Assistant and at theme parks, and she was the Technical Director at J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir, NC. Ashley is currently the Production Assistant at Lenoir Rhyne University and does overhire for local theatres. She is ecstatic to be doing her 5th Carolina Onstage production. She would also like to give a shout-out to her husband, Charles, who serves as a theatre technician in his spare time and is the lighting designer for the show. Ashley would like to thank Mario and Lucinda for giving her the opportunity to be part of the show every year. She would also like to thank God for all the opportunities He has given her.

- Lighting Designer 

Charles Hicks

Charles likes it bright and he likes it loud. When not working in the financial industry, he works with various theaters, churches and bands in the greater NC foothills area providing lighting and sound. Whether it be a small one person show, Fleetwood Mac tribute band, worship service or a full scale Broadway-style production, Charles enjoys designing creative lighting to enhance the audience's experience. He has worked with artists including Jason Crabb, David Phelps (from the Gaither Vocal band), Mandy Harvey (from The Voice) and Mountain Ruckus (members of Dolly Parton’s band. Charles has also worked with theatre productions of “Fiddler On the Roof”, “The King and I” and “Guys and Dolls” to name a few. Charles is very happy and excited to be back with Mario and Lucinda for the Carolina Summer Show and thanks them for the opportunity to light up everyone’s world. Just remember, if there’s a light in your eyes during the show, that was me.