News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Valentine concert, Pardee Foundation hires, Kanuga, Four Seasons strings

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 10, 2024

'Do You Love Me?'

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Friends of Music of the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness presents “Do You Love Me?”

The program features songs that chart the lifecycle of a romantic relationship, from those first smitten moments through loss and finally reconciliation. The free concert will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, in the St. John Parish Hall at 1905 Greenville Highway.

Soprano Jacquelyn Culpepper and bass-baritone Dan Boye take the stage together for the performance and their chemistry promises to be powerful. The Davidson College professors have been performing together for 30 years, including appearances as featured guest artists at the Breckenridge Music Festival for more than 15 years. 

Culpepper’s career highlights include performances on almost every continent and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Atlanta Symphony Hall.  A professor of voice, she has also appeared on PBS.

A professor of physics, Boye also teaches courses for non-science majors, including one on musical technology. Along with a busy schedule of professional singing, he also maintains an active research program in the development of new optical materials. 

Pardee Foundation announces new hires

Pardee Hospital Foundation recently added two donor engagement officers and a marketing and communications manager.

Andrew Schmidt, donor engagement officer, was previously advancement analyst at the Kanuga Conference Center, where he worked on a $15 million capital campaign to renovate the historic Kanuga Lake Inn. 

Matthew Kemper, who also joins the staff as a donor engagement officer, brings a diverse background in orthopedics, automotive and information technology to the job. He has a bachelor of science degree from Indiana State University and a master’s degree in project management from Western Carolina University.

Callie Davis brings 15 years of business development, marketing and communications experience to her new role as marketing and communications manager.

“We are confident that Andrew, Callie, and Matthew will play integral roles in advancing the mission of Pardee UNC Health, and we look forward to the positive impact they will undoubtedly have on our community,” said Amy Treece, the foundation’s executive director.

David Tyler named manager at Kanuga

Kanuga, a historic nonprofit camp and retreat center, announced the promotion of David Tyler to general manager. 

An alumnus of Michigan State University’s business school, Tyler graduated with high honors and embarked on his career in hospitality. His journey began at Marriott International, where he honed his skills over a decade-long tenure. He went on to work in various capacities for boutique luxury hotels, Caribbean resorts and prestigious properties like Rumbling Bald Resort at Lake Lure and Naples Beach & Golf Club in Southwest Florida.

Throughout his tenure over the past several years with Kanuga, Tyler has served in various pivotal roles, including director of sales, assistant general manager and interim general manager.

“I appreciate the importance of friends and family, and I’m excited to be at Kanuga, embracing the culture and all the potential offerings ahead,” he said.

 Four Seasons Orchestra performs Sunday

The Four Seasons Orchestra under the direction of Eric Schneider will present its winter concert, “To Victims of War,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W. The program includes Glesser’s “An Illusion of Presence,” Shoskavovich’s “String Quartet No. 8” and Vaughn Williams’s “Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis.”