2012 Touch of Gold

WBTV's Delano Little & Steve Crump Headline Luncheon 

CHARLOTTE—WBTV sports anchor Delano Little was the headline speaker with Steve Crump serving as emcee for the ”Touch of Gold Luncheon” on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, 11:30am-1pm at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The annual fundraising luncheon benefits Charlotte area programs for at-risk youth. This year's event also featured the West Mecklenburg High School Band and a silent auction. It was held in the atrium adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

“The Community Services Association is a community-based nonprofit that promotes excellence in academics, fine arts, health and social services to Charlotte area residents. It is based in the First Baptist-Church-West Family Life Center at 1801 Oaklawn Avenue, but serves residents from throughout Mecklenburg County.

The Community Services Association is noted for its outcome-based programs such as:
* GAP (Gang Alternative Principles) Program—the largest community-based gang prevention program serving Mecklenburg County.
* The Clara H. Jones Summer Institute – a fine arts and academic six-week program of instruction for 150 students held each summer. Program highlights include licensed teachers, a STEM curriculum and an ending fine arts program.
* The First Baptist-West Music & Tutoring Afterschool Program – a NC 21^st Century afterschool site emphasizing homework assistance as well as weekly piano, violin and art lessons with a 90% EOG passing rate.

Luncheon co-chairs were Cindy Campbell, a Charlotte area realtor, and Marian Yates, NC Principal of the Year.

Aram Kim Bryan received a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree from Southwest Missouri State University. She is currently Program Director for Community School of the Arts in Charlotte and also serves as Director of Orchestra In Schools for the agency. Her prior experience includes Band Director for Charlotte Preparatory School and Back Creek Christian Academy. She also was Music Director for the First Baptist-West Afterschool and Summer Institute. A violinist, Bryan has performed with the Arkansas Symphony, Seoul Central Symphony Orchestra, Brookline Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts and Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Her awards include the Southwest Missouri State University Music Award, Monett Festival Orchestra and Seoul Central Symphony section leader, and AIDS Quilt Project music coordinator and performer.

Herbert J. Johnson received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC and will complete a Master of Music Education Degree from Winthrop in the spring of 2013. He has taught public school in both North and South Carolina for twelve years at all levels, including, elementary, middle, high school and college. He served as choral director at First Baptist Church-West, artistic director for the Clara H. Jones Summer Institute, choral director for the First Baptist-West Music & Tutoring Afterschool and an instructor for the Community School of the Arts and was appointed to the community relations board for the NC Dance Theater, all of Charlotte, NC. As a vocalist, Herbert has performed in many operas with Opera Carolina, has competed and ranked in many classical vocal arts competitions on local and regional levels, and has been featured twice as a soloist on the stage of the prestigious Carnegie Hall (NYC). He currently teaches choral music at Bessemer City High School, where he was named "Star Teacher" in 2011. His music program was awarded the 2011 national "Grammy in the Schools Enterprise Award" of $5,500 from the Grammy Foundation.