Board of Directors

John E. Craig, Jr. is retired from an varied career that included roles as executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Commonwealth Fund as well as time with the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a stint as a US Foreign Service Reserve Officer with the US Agency for International Development. He has been a fixture in the arts scene of his hometown of Lancaster, SC, contributing to the establishment of the Vivian Major Robinson Classical Concert Series and holding a lead role in the development of the Lancaster Cultural Arts Center and its restoration from an 1862 Old Presbyterian Church in the downtown area.

John earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and holds a master’s in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

John currently serves as board chairman for the Lancaster County Society for Historical Preservation and as board president of the Craig Farm Historic Preservation Foundation. He is also a board member for Lander University, WDAV, the International Women’s Health Coalition, the TCF Foundation and the J. Marion Sims Foundation Investment Committee.

Favorite choral works:

“Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations

“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” from Haydn’s The Creation

George F. Handel’s Zadok the Priest

Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man”

Favorite composers: 
Bach, 
Vivaldi

Mary Delk is retired from a career that included serving as president of Belk Department Stores from 2002-2006 and as a partner with Deloitte Consulting from 2007-2016. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and holds an M.A. from the University of Chicago.

Mary has served on the strategic planning committee and task force on affordable housing at Covenant Presbyterian Church and as an Elder on Session. She has also been on the board of directors for the Ruth & Paul Manz Organ Scholarship, offered through the Lutheran School of Theology. Mary brings a love of choral music excellence and an experienced perspective to the Charlotte Master Chorale board of directors.

Favorite choral work: J. S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” and “Considering Matthew Shepard” by Craig Hella Johnson

Favorite composer: Bach

Frank Dominguez is a recognizable voice in the Charlotte area, serving as general manager and content director for WDAV Classical Public Radio. Frank earned a bachelor of fine arts in theater from Adelphi University and a M.A. and M.F.A. in drama & communications from the University of New Orleans.

In addition to managing WDAV for the past seven years, Frank was also director of development and marketing for Community School of the Arts and has worked as a director and performer for a number of local, not-for-profit and community theaters. Frank brings an awareness and knowledge of classical music listeners to the Charlotte Master Chorale and looks forward to helping the organization make a smooth and successful transition to its new status.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: “The Sea Symphony” by Ralph Vaughan Williams (choral/orchestral), and Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe” Suite No. 2

Favorite composer: Ravel or Vivaldi

Stephen Douglas Jr. is managing director, retail and consumer products at Deloitte. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Ohio State University.

Stephen has served on the Ohio State University Arts & Sciences Alumni Society Board. He was also fundraising leader for the ArtsWave Cincinnati and Community Volunteer Leader for Cincinnati, both as a representative for Deloitte. As a regular attendee of performances at Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Stephen is excited to become more involved in the community with his Charlotte Master Chorale board position. He believes that arts play an essential role in bringing people together and fostering creativity and he looks forward to challenging the status quo and providing an outside perspective on fundraising and market expansion.

Favorite choral work: “Now We Are Free” by Lisa Gerrard & Hans Zimmer

Favorite composers: Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Hans Zimmer

Lisa M. Harper is a Realtor for both North Carolina and South Carolina with Keller Williams SouthPark. Originally from Upstate, New York, she has called Charlotte home since 1999 and brings a diverse marketing background and business experience to her role on the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors. Lisa has been a member of the chorus since moving to Charlotte. She has also volunteered her time to the Foundation Fighting Blindness as the VisionWalk Chair and as a member of Pulse, the Young Affiliates of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree from Barry University in Miami, Fla.

Favorite choral work: Symphony No. 2 by Gustav Mahler

Favorite composer:Gustav Mahler

Steven B. Martin is vice president, accreditation services for Atrium Health and has been active in the music and theater scenes of Charlotte since moving to the city in 1999. Steven earned his undergraduate degree from Wofford College and a master of health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Steven’s community experience includes the Carolina Raptor Center, the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association and Theatre Charlotte, and he is a graduate of the Arts & Science Council Cultural Leadership Program. An avid theatre performer who has taken part in more than 35 productions with six different theatre groups in Charlotte, Steven is committed to creating an enriching experience for the singers and audiences of the Charlotte Master Chorale.

Favorite choral work: Oratorio de Noël

Favorite composer: Camille Saint-Saëns

Paul B. Michelle, III is the senior vice president of marketing for Universal Media, Inc. one of the largest independent media buying agencies in the country. Prior to his current position he worked as senior vice president marketing & advertising for Belk Department Stores and held senior marketing roles for two other retail companies before joining Belk.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Paul has served on several church governing boards over the years. As someone with a great appreciation of all forms of music, he looks forward to working with the Charlotte Master Chorale to draw on its long-storied history to broaden its audience within the larger community.

Robert Moody is currently the music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Arizona Musicfest. His career has also included an 11-year tenure as music director for the Portland (Maine) Symphony and 13-year tenure as music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony (N.C.). Recent and upcoming debuts include the Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Carolina, Vienna (Austria) Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Brevard Music Center Opera, and Sewanee Music Festival.

Robert makes his debut with the Cape Town Symphony (South Africa) in 2019, and with the Aachen (Germany) Philharmonic, and the Orquestra Filharmónica Bogotá (Colombia) in 2020. Robert received his undergraduate degree from Furman University and went on to earn his master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music. Robert has previously served on the board of directors for the Winston-Salem YMCA and the Winston-Salem AIDS Care Services. He is a current member of the board of directors for WDAV Classical Public Radio.

Favorite choral work: “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Ralph Vaughn Williams

Favorite composer: Whatever composer he is conducting at the moment!

H. Stacy Nicholson is the president, Atrium Health Levine Children’s and Chair of Pediatrics, Carolinas Medical Center. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics form Furman University, where he also become involved in music as a member of the Furman Singers. Stacy later earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University.

Stacy currently serves on the board of directors for the American Board of Pediatrics and for Pat’s Place, a child advocacy center for Mecklenburg County. An avid cyclist who is passionate about his family and his work, Stacy currently sings baritone in the Myers Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir. Stacy has agreed to serve as President of the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors.

Favorite choral work: “If Ye Love Me” Thomas Tallis

Favorite composer: Bach

Julia J. Souther has been involved in choral music in Charlotte for many years as a singer in both the Charlotte Symphony Chorus and Opera Carolina. She is the business development manager, durables for Avery Dennison and a patent holder. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Julia’s previous community experience includes the board of directors for the Metropolitan Music Ministries and a volunteer for the American Heart Association. She has also served as chorus representative on the board for the former Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and as secretary on the Charlotte Symphony Chorus board of directors. Julia sings soprano in the Charlotte Master Chorale and serves as secretary of the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff and Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings”

Favorite composer?: Bach

Robert Sticker is a former journalist and communications professional who spent his career in corporate communications roles at Barnett Banks, Inc. and NationsBank, later Bank of America. Robert also served as CEO of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra from 2012-2016. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

Robert's past board experience includes the former Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Charlotte Museum of History. Robert brings great experience with symphony and chorus management to the Charlotte Master Chorale board of directors.

Favorite choral work or other piece of music: Symphony No. 2 by Sibelius, Handel’s “Messiah”

Favorite composer Beethoven

Jesse M. “Jay” Tillman, III is deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission with 18 years of experience in civil litigation private practice. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctor from Campbell University. Jay is a retired Captain from the United States Navy (Reserve Component) and flew EA-6B Prowlers in Operation Desert Shield and in post-Desert Storm operations. As a reservist he was activated for Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and others in the Middle East and South America.

Jay has an extensive musical background that began with his time as a choirboy in the Durham Boys Choir and the North Carolina Boys Choir. This extended to his college days as a member of the Clef Hangers at Chapel Hill and the Naval Air Training Command Choir and the Turbotones while in the U.S. Navy. He has served as president of the Charlotte Symphony Chorus and a director of Bach Akademie Charlotte and the North Carolina Boys Choir. Jay currently sings tenor in the Charlotte Master Chorale and serves as Vice President of the Charlotte Master Chorale Board of Directors.

Favorite choral work: Handel’s “Messiah”

Favorite composer: Bach