About CPB

Our Mission

The mission of the Charlotte Pride Band is to provide an open, inviting environment for musicians of all ability levels while promoting the value and respect of LGBTQIA+ people in the Charlotte metropolitan area through quality musical performances.

Our Vision

We believe that through music, any community can be brought together.  We provide high quality performances for the enjoyment and support of our community at large so that one day,  we all will live in a diverse, supportive community that is welcoming to everyone.

Charlotte Pride Band performs at Freedom park

Meet our Artistic Board

  • Artistic Director

    Dr. John Stanley Ross is the Director of Bands in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University where he serves on the graduate faculty, conducts the Appalachian Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Concert Band, teaches courses in graduate and undergraduate conducting, supervises student teachers, serves as the advisor for Kappa Kappa Psi and the Collegiate National Band Association, and guides all aspects of the ASU BANDS program. He is also the Artistic Director of the Charlotte Pride Band and serves as a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician. Dr. Ross is a frequent guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States and abroad and has also conducted in England, China, Romania, and South Korea.

    Future and past guest conducting engagements include the Dixon Municipal Band, the 2019 North Carolina 11-12 All-State Band, the Southern Methodist University Wind Ensemble, the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Minnesota 9-10 All-State Band, the Kauai Community College Wind Symphony, the Medalist Concert Band, the Sterling Municipal Band, the Banatul Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in Romania and numerous regional and district honor bands throughout the United States and abroad. Ensembles under his direction have performed at state and national conferences in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Carolina including the American School Band Directors Association National Convention and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Awards received include the 2008-2009 Honors Edition of Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals, Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who for Professionals, the Minnesota Band Directors Association Award, National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association.

    He has commissioned and arranged several works for winds and has conducted over thirty world premieres. His performances have been heard on National Public Radio’s Performance Today series and have won the praise and admiration of composers such as John Mackey, Karel Husa, Michael Daugherty, Samuel Adler, David Gillingham, William Harbinson, and David Maslanka, among others. Dr. Ross has studied conducting with John L. Whitwell, H. Robert Reynolds, Larry Rachleff, Frederick Fennell, Elizabeth A. H. Green, Donald Schleicher, Jerry Blackstone, Gary Lewis, and Gustav Meier among many others. Dr. Ross is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, the College Music Society, the National Association for Music Education, and the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.

  • Assistant Artistic Director

    Spencer Hinson has taught music in North Carolina for eight years where he has directed community bands, middle and high school bands and orchestras along with teaching music theory. Ensembles under Mr. Hinson’s direction have received numerous superior ratings at the North Carolina Music Educator’s Association Music Performance Adjudication, regional concert band festivals, and many marching band festivals around the Southeast.

    Prior to being named the Assistant Artistic Director of the Charlotte Pride Band, Mr. Hinson served as a conductor of the Charlotte Concert Band. From 2018-2020 Mr. Hinson served as Director of Bands at Union Academy in Monroe, NC where he oversaw the direction of a 6-12 grade band program. While under his direction the Union Academy Marching Band was invited and performed in the 2019 Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. From 2014-2018 Mr. Hinson served as the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Harnett Central High School in Lillington, NC. In 2016 Mr. Hinson arranged and his students performed the “Band World Premiere” of “Disneyana” by Robert Sherman Jr. By the request of Mr. Sherman Jr., this performance was to honor the late great Robert Sherman Sr., a prolific Disney composer/song writer. The premiere occurred in front of Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World, Orlando, Fl.

    Mr. Hinson graduated from Appalachian State University in 2013 where he received his Bachelors of Music Degree in Music Education. During his time at Appalachian State, Mr. Hinson served as the conductor of the Student Charity Chamber Orchestra and served as Drum Major for the Appalachian State Marching Mountaineers for four years. During 2011 Mr. Hinson traveled with the Marching Mountaineers to perform in the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos (Three Kings Parade) in Madrid, Spain afterwards performing for the Mayor of Madrid by special request.

    Mr. Hinson is a member of the National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Hinson continues to enjoy playing trombone around North Carolina. He has performed with the Tar River Community Band, Sandhills Orchestra, Raleigh Concert Band, and Charlotte Concert Band.

Meet our Leadership

Executive Board

  • Chairperson

  • Vivian Nguyen has been a trumpet player for over 15 years. In 2015 and 2016, they were the Section leader for a 30-player trumpet section for the Kennesaw State University Marching Owls. They hold wide experience in various brass and string instruments such as the French Horn, Baritone and Guitar. Professionally, they work in the IT field as a software engineer.

  • Chaz grew up in Georgia and started playing tuba in 1968 (you do the math) while in the seventh grade. ( His mom said, "but you're so small.") He has been fortunate enough to continue playing in ensembles through high school, college and into adulthood.

    After college he relocated to Orlando where he worked for Disney for 22 years and First UMC Orlando for 10. All the while he was able to participate in the local community band and church brass ensemble scene.

    He was the founder of The World's Worst Marching Band, a comic group that participated in parades and events entertaining over a million unsuspecting people over the 14 years the group existed. He was also a member of the Second Time Arounders Marching Band in St. Pete FL and marched in the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while part of that group. 

    He relocated to the Charlotte area for work in 2015 and found a musical home with the Charlotte Pride Band in early 2016. He immediately felt welcomed into the group and Thursday nights quickly became a weekly highlight. The inclusivity of CPB continues to make musicians from all backgrounds feel they have found a welcoming and safe space.

    The universal language of music has made it possible for him to continue filling the need to be a part of something bigger than himself.

  • Megan has been a member of the Charlotte Pride Band since 2021, and a member of the board since 2022.

    Megan first began playing horn in 10th grade and went on to get a degree in Music Education from Florida State University. While in college she was a member of The Marching Chiefs, several small ensemble groups, orchestras, and opera pit ensembles.

    After moving cities and a brief hiatus from playing horn, Charlotte Pride Band gave her the joy she was missing from performing in an ensemble. The welcoming arms of the Charlotte Pride Band community uplifts all players, and Megan is passionate about the group’s inclusivity.

    Outside of the band, Megan is a consultant for a construction accounting software company. She has lived in Charlotte for 7 years with her fiancé and their two cats and dog.

  • Member Engagement

Members At Large

  • Ben Allen has been playing the trumpet for about 12 years, on and off from middle school through college, but only began playing again regularly since joining CPB a year ago. He enjoys getting to play music and connect with others. While he hasn’t held a leadership role in a band before, Ben is excited to help build community and make sure members—especially new ones—feel connected and supported. Outside of band, Ben works professionally as a repair and custom jeweler. He also spends time expanding his skills through metalsmithing classes, where he explores larger-scale creative work.

  • Branden M. Nicholson is a higher education leader and student affairs professional with over 15 years of experience fostering inclusive communities and championing student success. Currently serving as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at Wake Forest University School of Law, Branden leads efforts in student programming, wellness, and community engagement, while advancing initiatives that center equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

    A proud UNC Charlotte alum with a B.A. in Music and a concentration in vocal performance, Branden first joined the Charlotte Pride Band in 2013. He currently plays bass trombone and has also contributed as a percussionist. Branden previously served on the Board from 2014 to 2016 and is excited to return to continue service to a group that means so much to him. His passion for music, inclusion, and community-building drives his dedication to creating affirming spaces where all identities are celebrated and empowered.

  • Member At Large

  • Omari is a psychiatrist-in-training with a lifelong love of music and a deep commitment to community, inclusion, and connection. Her musical journey began with the violin and expanded to trumpet in middle school, later adding acoustic guitar and two seasons of indoor percussion. In high school, she had the honor of marching twice in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

    Though now in medicine, music remains a central part of her identity. She’s excited to begin her role of Member At Large: Personnel, for the Charlotte Pride Band, where she hopes to foster a welcoming, supportive space where every member feels connected and valued. Outside of music and medicine, she enjoys football, reading memoirs, and the playing an occasional game of chess—and she’s always looking for new ways to connect with others through shared passions and a good laugh.