If you've attended a Charlotte Symphony concert, you know we're quite loyal to the classic black concert attire. However, as we move into the third season of our innovative KnightSounds Series, a series of concerts intended to put a fresh, intelligent, and audience-engaging spin on classical repertoire, we are beginning to experiment with our attire from the ground or shall we say 'feet' up. On January 25, 2013, the symphony will partner with the Metropolitan Ballroom but the dancers aren't the only ones who will be sporting impressive footwear at the "Ballroom!" performance. The audience, conductor and orchestra musicians are all invited to wear their dressiest, wackiest, or fanciest shoes of all styles and colors for both the performance and the post-concert dance party.

If you've attended a Charlotte Symphony concert, you might have noticed that Assistant Concertmaster Kari Giles already wears pretty fancy shoes at her seat during concerts. We asked her a few questions on the topic 'at feet' -

When did you begin wearing fabulous shoes onstage? Why?
I always said I would buy myself a pair of fancy black shoes once I won my first job. So after I won the Charlotte audition, I found an amazing pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes on sale. From the first time I put them on I felt alluring and confident and I was hooked! What I love about shoe shopping is that even on a bad day, you can put on a great pair of shoes and get a lift.

Where do you shop for shoes? 
I absolutely love Zappos. I don't know how many hours I have spent trolling that site! Anthropologie, Nordstrom and Off Broadway are also fabulous.

If we looked in your closet right now, how many pairs of shoes would there be? 
Hmm, hard to say...60ish?

What type of shoes do you wear most often? 
In the winter I live in boots. Cowboy, Motorcycle, Mod, Vintage, Furry...I love them all!

What is the highest price you've ever paid for a pair of shoes?
It might have been around $250 for a pair of cowboy boots that fit me like a glove. I try to only 'invest' when it's a classic pair that I know will last me a long time. One of my favorite pairs of orchestra shoes were black velvet Mary Janes with a bow that I got at Target for $20. I got more compliments on those shoes! I think the key to great shoes is to find the ones that you love that speak to you and show off your style.

Kari is this month's Featured Family Member. Read the entire article here.
She is also a recent newlywed and wore some pretty fabulous shoes with her dress.

Congratulations Kari!

Name: Andrea Mumm

Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ

Instrument: Harp

When did your musical experience begin? From birth!  My mother was pregnant with me while recording the 1987 Metropolitan Opera Wagner's Ring Cycle.  I started playing violin at age 3, piano at age 5, and harp at age 11.

What brought you to the CSO family? I saw a posting for a Principal Harp opening (a rarity overall) and decided to take the audition.  I had heard wonderful things about the city of Charlotte and the CSO and was thrilled when I won the audition!

What are your artistic dreams and aspirations?  I am so lucky to already have, what I consider, my dream job!  I have always wanted to be principal harp of a professional orchestra and am so honored to work with the CSO for my career.  I also love playing chamber music and teaching.  Hopefully in the future I will also teach at a college or university.

Name a performer you respect; why?  The first people that pop into my mind are my mother (a violinist) and father (a violist).  I was fortunate to grow up in a house where the first thing I remembering hearing was a full and beautiful string sound.  I try to emulate that same sound in my harp playing.  Along those same lines, I don't know what I would do without the recordings of Jacqueline du Pré.  Her recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto never fails to give me chills.

What's your vision for the future of the arts in Charlotte?  As the city of Charlotte grows, I would love to see the CSO and other arts organizations too grow and change with the diverse culture and people that call Charlotte home.  The arts are an integral part of every city and we are fortunate enough to have world-class musicians and artists that reside in Charlotte.