Music

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 […]

Violinist David Russell is one of the most celebrated violin pedagogues of his generation. Currently, the Anne R. Belk Distinguished Professor of Violin at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mr. Russell previously served on the Violin Faculty at The Cleveland Institute of Music for 24 years and was Visiting Violin Faculty at Oberlin College Conservatory […]

Dylan Savage is a Bösendorfer Concert Artist, a Capstone Records Recording Artist, and a winner of the Rome Festival Orchestra Competition. He is author of the book The Transposed Musician: Teaching Universal Skills to Improve Performance and Benefit Life, GIA Publications. It is the first book to present a comprehensive and systematic method for teaching universal […]

Joseph Skillen has come to UNC Charlotte after 22 years at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he served in numerous capacities, most recently as the Galante Endowed Professor and associate dean for graduate studies in music and theatre in the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. Skillen is a respected performer, teacher, and scholar. His scholarly work […]

Fred P. Spano, Associate Professor of Music Education, is the Coordinator of Music Education for the Department of Music at UNC Charlotte. He served the department previously as Interim Chair. Dr. Spano teaches classes in general music methods, choral methods, and supervises student teachers. His areas of research include diversity topics in music education including […]

Benjamin G. Stickels is a Senior Lecturer for the Performing Arts Services: Design & Production unit in the College of Arts + Architecture, serving as Audio Engineer and Assistant Production Manager. He develops and teaches courses for the departments of Theatre (1245 – Theatre Technology I: Sound; 2240 – Sound Design I; 3246 – Theatre Technology […]

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.  […]

Elizabeth Sullivan is the Associate Professor of Oboe and Musicianship at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a passionate educator and performer dedicated to elevating others in all areas of music.  As a professor at Charlotte, Dr. Sullivan instructs at all levels, from advanced oboe classes to the rudiments of music. Her […]