TEAM

Charlie Adams, II (Co-Treasurer) has been a DCA board member for 25 years. He is a Professor at Danville Community College, the owner of Belmont in Reidsville, North Caroline, and a U.S. Army veteran (1996 – 1998).  He enjoys the 3PTs – porch time, party time and pajama time.

Lisa Aikins (Development Committee) is retired after 35 years in the pharma chemical research industry.  Her love of music started in third grade at Gibson Middle School and continued in church handbell choirs and concert bands at Langston and GWHS, playing clarinet and glockenspiel. 

Kristen Barker (President, Development Committee, Program Committee) is a pediatric occupational therapist and co-founder/co-owner of the Center for Pediatric Therapies and Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism. A love of dance has led her to being a fitness instructor and to having leading and supporting roles in musical theater.

Mira Becher (Program Committee Chair, Development Committee) has a love for the arts that has driven her to serve on numerous boards from South Carolina to New York.  She has been booking DCA programs for 16 years.

Lin Benefield (Arrangements Committee) was smitten by classical music as a nine-year-old when someone gave her the LPs titled, “Music of the Great Composers” and “Great Classical Music.” She has been a choir singer and handbell ringer at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church since moving to Danville 21 years ago from Atlanta.

Charles Crumpler (Co-Treasurer, Membership Committee) is a native of Music City (Nashville, TN) and has always found a way to make music a part of his life, including a stint as a disc jockey during his college years. He is an avid supporter of live music performances of all types and is forever ready to attend a concert, such as hearing the Roanoke College Choir sing (his son is a member) or taking his other son to see the Mountain Goats.

Courtney Dodson (Marketing Committee) grew up in a home filled with dance and music ranging from Puccini to Three Dog Night. She enjoys civic engagement and team building.

Justin Ferrell (Arrangements Committee, Membership Committee) has a background in orchestra and a passion for arts.  He joined DCA to help promote its mission.

Dr. Connie Fletcher (Arrangements) is the former Director of Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute and currently provides clinical services at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). She has loved music since early childhood and finds it food for the soul.

Cedric J. Hairston (Program/Marketing, Publicity Committee) is the Supervisor for Title I/Instructional Programs for Pittsylvania County Schools. His goal in life is to modify a quote from Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts of America, with “Try to leave the Danville arts community a little better than he found it.”

Dr. Janet Laughlin (Marketing/Publicity Committee Co-Chair and Secretary) joined the DCA Board in 2020, having previously served on the DRMC/Sovah Health, Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, and Boys & Girls Club Boards.  She earned her Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from ODU and was a member of the leadership team at both DCC and Averett University before retiring.

Dana Mehalko (Membership Committee Chair) is a former performing artist, spending a large portion of her life in dance. She is a proponent of the arts, believing the arts fuel the senses and stimulate the mind, engage people in many ways, and are essential to the well-being of people and communities.

Bernice Moore (Volunteer Coordinator) is an employee ofDanville Parks & Recreation Department, who enjoys working with sponsors and volunteers of special events. She is frequently seen at Racin’ & Tastin’, Festival in the Park, Danville Harvest Jubilee and Bright Leaf Brewfest.

Carrie Petrick (Marketing/Publicity Committee) was born and raised in Danville. Her love of the arts and music was nurtured from a young age. She sang in the church choir, participated in local theatre, and danced for 13 years under the instruction of Meredith Gravely. Carrie enjoys volunteering in the community, and promoting all of the positives that Danville has to offer.

Dr. Janet Phillips (Program Committee) is an Associate Professor of Music and Band Director at Averett University. She attended Danville city schools and knew by the eighth grade that she would have a life in music. Janet is happy to give back to the community that gave her so much in her youth.

Russell Scruggs (Grants & Outreach Coordinator) is a retired Professor of History at Danville Community College and a retired Minister of Music at Moffett Memorial Baptist Church.

Jean Carol Harper Vernon (Membership Committee) is a singer and a learner all the way from Polly Wolly Doodle All Day to Un Bel Di.

Joyce Wilburn (Marketing/Publicity Committee Co-Chair) is the former editor of Evince magazine and leads walking tours in Danville’s historic districts.  Her love of music was sparked decades ago by a Richmond Symphony Orchestra visit to her fifth-grade class.

Teresa Wiseman (Development Committee) is the General Manager of Danville Toyota. Giving back to the community that she loves so dearly is extremely important to her, and is a major focal point at Danville Toyota. Teresa’s love of music and production began in early childhood, and has highly influenced her throughout life. 

Bobbye Raye Womack (Development Committee) loves the DCA because it has brought to the citizens of Danville and the surrounding area classical concerts at very affordable prices. She thinks it is hard to imagine Danville without the DCA. As a Danville native, Bobbye Raye  was schooled here and still works in a local business.

Cheryl Doss (Advisory)