March 5, 2022, 1.27 million dollars were raised for Charlotte Ballet and seven local charities through our Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala. The Gala returned for its ninth year with exciting competition between some of Charlotte’s most esteemed leaders who were paired with the professional dancers of Charlotte Ballet to raise funds for the Ballet and each star’s chosen charity! Benefiting Charities this year included The McColl Lockwood Lab for Muscular Dystrophy Research, F3 Foundation, Inc., Atrium Health’s Beat Childhood Cancer Fund, Discovery Place Museum, The Health Equity Fund at Novant Health Foundation, Atrium Health Foundation’s Women’s Care Advancement Fund and Autism Strong Foundation. Nearly $400,000 will be given back to the community and these incredible charities.
The return of the Gala was extra special this year as it celebrated Charlotte Ballet’s 50th Anniversary.
The Gala was presented by PNC Bank and chaired by Midge Barron and Martin Godwin. Emcees for the evening ESPN Analyst, Roman Harper, along with WBTV Channel 3 News Anchor, Maureen O’Boyle, led the show as star pairs competed for two awards – People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice.
Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at Novant Health, Kim Henderson and Charlotte Ballet dancer Maurice Mouzon Jr. won the title of “The People’s Choice” and were awarded for most funds raised.
For the first time in Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte history, two pairs landed perfect scores with our judges! Both pairs were awarded “The Judges’ Choice” title: Civic Leader, Jane Lockwood and Charlotte Ballet dancer Humberto Ramazzina and CEO & Co-Founder of Xenia Hospitality Group, Stratos Lambos and Charlotte Ballet dancer Nadine Barton. The Judges for this year’s Gala were former Carolina Panthers Player, Jonathan Stewart, Chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Sharon Gaber, and co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing, Felix Sabates.
MEET OUR STAR PAIRS
KIM AND MAURICE: PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS
Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff for Novant Health, Kim Henderson, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Maurice Mouzon Jr. to benefit the Health and Equity Fund at Novant Health Foundation, honoring Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown.
JANE AND HUMBERTO: JUDGES’ CHOICE WINNERS
Civic Leader, Jane Lockwood, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Humberto Ramazzina to benefit the McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research.
STRATOS & NADINE: JUDGES’ CHOICE WINNERS
CEO & Co-Founder of Xenia Hospitality Group, Stratos Lambos, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Nadine Barton to benefit The Autism Strong Foundation, honoring Peter Sparks.
JOCLYN & COLBY
Senior Vice President for PNC Bank Joclyn Balanda, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Colby Foss to benefit Discovery Place Museum.
JIM & SARAH
Head of National Accounts at First Eagle Investment Management, Jim Cotchett, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Sarah Lapointe to benefit The F3 Foundation.
NATASHA & JOSH
Medical Doctor at Atrium Health, Natasha Adams-Denny, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Josh Hall to benefit Atrium Health Foundation’s Women’s Care Advancement Fund.
JIMBO & SHAINA
Managing Director for Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc (JLL), Jimbo Thorp, danced with Charlotte Ballet’s Shaina Wire to benefit the Beat Childhood Cancer Fund.
Photos From the Evening!
Photos by Jeff Cravotta.
