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.
Meet our Artistic Director
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Interim 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
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California-born and West Coast at heart, Billy holds the official title of CPB’s #1 self-proclaimed groupie. As the boards only member who doesn’t play an instrument, he brings a sharp analytical mind, a keen eye for operational detail, and endless enthusiasm for the music to keep things runing smoothly behind the scenes. When he’s not crunching data or cheering on the band, he’s usually hanging out with his dogs.
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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.
General Directors
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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.
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Brad has been a member of the Charlotte Pride Band since 2022 and served on the board since 2024.
Brad first began playing tuba in 8th grade and played in many different ensembles including concert band, marching band, jazz band, brass quintet, all state band, and others.
At the Charlotte Pride Festival in 2022 he came across CPB and was excited for the opportunity to play tuba again and join a welcoming music community. He says it was the fastest he’s ever made so many great friends and only regrets he didn’t join sooner.
Outside of the band, Brad works in audio, video, and lighting; specializing in broadcast video. He has lived in Charlotte 7 years with his tuxedo cat Georgie.
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Briana began playing horn in middle school and continued through college, where she took a short break from music. She returned through the Charlotte Pride Band, joining at Pride in 2020. She also played mellophone in high school and has enjoyed participating in the CPB pep band each summer. A few years after joining, Briana became a section liaison and became more engaged in both the regular and summer band seasons. She joined the board as Member at Large in September 2026 and looks forward to continuing serving the CPB community.
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Kate joined Charlotte Pride Band in January 2026. She has been a flute player since she was 8 years old. Throughout school she also dabbled in the alto saxophone, piano, and the bass drum! She was a member of Western Carolina University’s “Pride of the Mountains” marching band for five seasons as a piccolo player and also served on the leadership team as part of the Library Staff. In her adult life, Kate holds an MBA from Western Governors University and dual bachelors degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Western Carolina University. She currently work as a Commission Escalation & Success Specialist in the telecommunications industry, where she has built a career for nearly 13 years.