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ABOUT / CAST

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MATT KENDRICK

Music Director & Bassist

Double bassist and composer Matt Kendrick is one of North Carolina's most respected jazz artists. A two-time recipient of the North Carolina Jazz Fellowship, he leads his own groups and teaches music at Wake Forest University.

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JASON McKinney

Host

An award-winning baritone, Jason has performed with many opera companies in the US and Europe. He is also the Music Director at Temple Emmanuel in Winston-Salem.

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CHARLEY SHAFER

Fiddle 

A classically-trained violinist and violist, Charley performs in symphonies throughout North Carolina. She also teaches at the Community Music School of UNCSA in Winton-Salem.

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WILEY PORTER

Guitar

A professional musician for the last 40 years, Wiley Porter has performed for the past six presidents and has backed up music legends including Barbara Streisand.

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MICHAEL KINCHEN

Saxophone

A graduate of the Jazz Studies Program at UNC Greensboro, Michael is a rising star in the Triad music scene. He teaches saxophone at the Community Music School of UNSCA and is the Musical Arts Coordinator for Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem.

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KAREN CLICK

Vocals

Karon Click is a versatile performer who sings traditional and contemporary blues, jazz, bluegrass, as well as American songbook standards. Click studied music at Wake Forest University. Her ensemble, Karon Click and the Hot Licks, entertains audiences around the Triad.

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DIANA TUFFIN

Vocals

Diana Tuffin is a vocalist specializing in jazz, R&B, and gospel. She sings in commercial venues throughout the Triad and southeast, as well as in places of worship. A music educator, she is a vocal instructor at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ Community Music School.

© 2025 by Carolina Music Ways.

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