Administrative and Artistic Staff
Maestro Nick Palmer
Music Director and Conductor
Maestro Nick Palmer is in his 10th season as Music Director of the North Charleston Pops! and is celebrated for his dynamic leadership and powerful, emotionally resonant performances. He has conducted major orchestras across the U.S., including the Detroit, Nashville, and Santa Barbara Symphonies, and internationally with ensembles in Italy, Mexico, and the Czech Republic. Palmer has recorded award-winning albums with the London Philharmonic at Abbey Road Studios and is a recipient of the Helen M. Thompson Award from the League of American Orchestras.
A favorite Pops conductor, he has appeared with legendary artists such as Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson, and Sir George Shearing. In addition to his work with the North Charleston Pops!, he serves as conductor for the Evenings Under the Stars Festival in Massachusetts and maintains a strong presence in opera and ballet. He holds degrees from Harvard, the New England Conservatory, and the University of Iowa, with additional studies at Juilliard.
Zandrina Dunning
Director of Development & Outreach
Zandrina Dunning is the newly appointed Director of Development & Outreach for the North Charleston POPS!, bringing her passion for music, community engagement, and strategic growth to the orchestra’s leadership team. A seasoned performer and producer, Zandrina was first introduced to the North Charleston POPS! in 2013, when she performed as a background vocalist for George Benson in his tribute to Nat King Cole - a moment that sparked her deep connection to the orchestra’s mission.
In addition to her new role, Zandrina serves as the Executive Artistic Director of The ZD Experience, where she curates and produces live concerts, interviews, and special events that highlight culture, artistry, and storytelling. With a rich background in live entertainment, business development, and nonprofit collaboration, she has built a reputation for creating meaningful partnerships and experiences that resonate with diverse audiences across the Lowcountry and beyond.
In her role with the North Charleston POPS!, Zandrina is focused on expanding community presence, building donor and corporate relationships, and developing partnerships that support the orchestra’s artistic vision and educational initiatives. Her unique blend of business acumen, creative leadership, and commitment to the arts makes her a dynamic addition to the North Charleston POPS! team as they usher in an exciting new chapter.
Gerome Stewart, Concertmaster of the North Charleston POPS!, has been playing the violin for over 26 years and has performed with orchestras throughout Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Indiana, South Carolina, and Florida. Mr. Stewart holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Columbus State University and a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Louisville. In the summer of 2017, he was appointed Dean of Mens’ Studies at the prestigious Brevard Music Center.
Concertmaster
Gerome Stewart
Samantha Clark has dedicated over a decade to enriching students’ lives through music education. As Director of the NC Pops Kids program, she has played a key role in shaping its mission and growth over the past eight years. With thirteen years of experience teaching in North Charleston schools, Samantha currently leads the Malcom C. Hursey Bulldog Orchestra and performs with the North Charleston Pops Orchestra.
Before moving to South Carolina, Samantha worked with Cincinnati's Whiz Kids music outreach program, bringing after-school music classes to underserved schools without formal arts education. Her commitment to providing equitable access to music continues to drive her work today, especially for students in the North Charleston community.
Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance from Converse College and a Master’s degree in Viola Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
Director of POPS! Kids
Samantha Clark
Stephanie Barrow
Director of Marketing
Stephanie Barrow is thrilled to serve as the Director of Marketing for the North Charleston Pops! With a deep passion for the arts and music, Stephanie brings a diverse background spanning PR, digital marketing, and strategic communications. She began her career in Hollywood as a junior publicist for Academy Award-winning actors. In 2010, she moved to Nashville, where she helped launch digital marketing campaigns for top artists like Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, and Brad Paisley—overseeing website redesigns, online marketing, merchandise strategy, and fan club programs.
For the past five years, Stephanie has built a successful consulting business focused on helping organizations and artists maximize their digital marketing strategies and adapt to the rapidly changing media landscape. She partners closely with clients to craft impactful messaging, enhance brand presence, and drive meaningful engagement across platforms.
Stephanie has also served as Past President of the Charleston American Marketing Association and co-hosts The Charleston Marketing Podcast. In 2023, she was honored as Charleston Marketer of the Year at the Spark! Awards.
She calls Mount Pleasant, SC home, where she lives with her daughter Amelie, stepdaughter Lainie, and husband Matthew.
Andrew Emmet
Assistant Concertmaster & Personnel Manager
Andrew Emmet has been a Charleston resident for 7 years. He originally hails from Munich, Germany. At age 7 he began playing the violin and then moved with his family to New Mexico where he eventually studied with David Tubergen at Eastern New Mexico University and then with Leonard Felberg at the University of New Mexico. Following several years of teaching privately and playing with orchestras in Venezuela, New Mexico and North Carolina as well as touring Europe and the Caribbean he settled in South Carolina where he serves as Assistant Concertmaster and personnel manager of the North Charleston Pops. He also maintains a private studio and performs chamber music in the Charleston Area.
Ryan Pagels is a highly sought after conductor, composer, and pianist, currently serving as the Director of Music at the Unitarian Church of Charleston. Before moving to Charleston, Ryan music directed throughout Florida and North Carolina, doing productions from youth to equity, and everything in between. Productions include "The Last 5 Years," "Les Miserables," "The Great American Trailer Park Musical," and "Mary Poppins," to name a few.
Ryan also served as Chorusmaster for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and worked as a vocal coach at Stetson University for the voice studios and the Opera program. With the Ocala Symphony, Ryan has prepared the chorus for Handel's Messiah and for Orff's Carmina Burana.
Ryan has performed with artists such as Arlo Guthrie, Wynonna Judd, and Audra McDonald. In 2023, Ryan returned to Carnegie Hall to premiere the “Twilight Mass,” by Ola Gjelio, and has also premiered works by Eric Whitacre and Frank Tichelli.
In his free time, he does covers of a variety of different musical styles on the pipe organ, especially video game music. Ryan's first album "Organcraft," is the music of Minecraft but on the pipe organ. He is very excited to be joining the North Charleston Pops! crew as librarian and production manager!
Librarian & Production Manager
Ryan Pagels
Tacy Edwards
Founding Executive Director
Tacy Edwards is a co-founder of the North Charleston POPS! and served as its Executive Director for its first ten years. She has brought decades of experience in the arts field to the purpose of creating and nurturing this vibrant orchestra to become the heart of the North Charleston arts experience. Tacy is Principal Flute with the POPS!, holds the position of Second Flute in the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and has been the Piccoloist with the CSO from 1992 to the present.
Kevin Patton is a composer, saxophonist, and entrepreneur from Charleston, South Carolina. Over the past decade, he has performed in various concert halls and churches across the country. He graduated from College of Charleston in 2014 with a degree in Music Performance. Kevin studied with Robert Lewis and many other great professors, who helped shape him into an in demand composer and saxophonist. Over the years, Kevin has performed in many festivals such as Piccolo Spoleto, Savannah Black Heritage Festival, The Atlanta Heritage Music Festival (where he received the Maestro Award), and The Colour of Music Festival. He was a regular member of The Charleston Jazz Orchestra from 2019 - 2021. In collaboration with the orchestra, Kevin has performed with countless jazz greats such as Melissa Aldana, Delfeayo Marsalis, Ernie Watts, and many more. Currently he teaches at Allegro Charter School of Music, performs for World Overcomers Ministries, com-poses film scores, and produces an online concert series titled “Music in Charleston”. In addition to performing regularly, Kevin released an album titled “Full Authority” in 2015. He also released a single titled “It All Works Out” in 2023. Both of these recordings dive into his two main musical influences: Gospel and Jazz. He likes to merge the two genres into a melting pot of new sounds that the world has never heard before. His goal for the future is to continue to improve, while following the plan that God has for his life. You can follow Kevin on Instagram at @kevinpattonmusic for upcoming content and event dates.
