Adjunct Faculty

Jason McNeel joined the bass section of the Charlotte Symphony in the fall of 2017.  As an orchestral bassist he has collaborated with his fellow musicians on many memorable concerts in and around Charlotte. In addition to the busy Charlotte Symphony season, Mr. McNeel has concertized with the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Symphonies domestically and on […]

A native of Belmont, NC, Nick hold degrees from Western Carolina University (2006 – BS Communication), University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2011 – BA Music/Percussion), and East Carolina University (2014 – MM Performance). While at ECU, Nick served as the Percussion Instructor and Percussion Arranger for the East Carolina University Marching Pirates since 2011, […]

Christina Pier is consistently met with great critical acclaim both on stage and in the teaching studio. Opera News has hailed her for her “big, gleaming soprano and impressive coloratura.”  She has performed leading roles with the Santa Fe Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera, Nashville Opera, Virginia Opera, Princeton Festival, Eugene Opera, Sarasota Opera, […]

Virginia native Nick Ritter joined the Charlotte Symphony as section bassoonist and contrabassoonist during the 2022-2023 season. He has also been the contrabassoonist in the Richmond Symphony since 2022, and was formerly the contrabassoonist in Orchestra Iowa. Nick has continued freelancing when possible, performing with orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and […]

Originally from Raleigh, NC, Ben Still is an active solo and chamber musician throughout the United States. Currently, he is an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts + Architecture at UNC Charlotte, where he advises Graphic Design and 1st-year Architecture students. He also teaches applied saxophone and chamber music in the Department of Music.  […]

As a folklorist, I employ the use of traditional dance, story and rhythm as tools to document history, practice culture and bring the community together. I began my African dance journey with Loretta Bynoe, as a company member of Rafiki Ngoma. At the age of 18, I began touring as a dancer with folklorist, Obakunle […]

Prior to coming to UNC Charlotte, Ginger G. Wyrick was the Director of Choral Activities at Queens University (Charlotte) for many years. She is the author, composer and editor of several products from Abingdon Press: Church Music for Children; Church Choir 101; The Choir Member’s Companion; Joseph: What a Life (session plan writer); and 52 Arrival Activities for Children’s Choir. Professor […]

Luciano Xavier comes from his native, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and is a master percussionist specializing in the music of Brazil’s culture. He started drumming inside of his Candomblé temple. Xavier’s performing career includes the internationally renowned Balé Folklorico da Bahia, Orchestra Afro Bahiana do Pelourinho, Sobe A Regencia da Mestra Emilia Biancard, and Odin Teatro. […]