Meet Our Team
Artistic Director
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, clarinetist Katelyn Waffer Poetker encompasses “Nuance and precision" (Santa Barbara Independent) through her playing. She has a passion for chamber music, and has performed for series such as the Mariposa Concert Series in Santa Barbara, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle. Katelyn is a founding member of the award-winning woodwind quintet, ZaRiah.
Katelyn Poetker
Artistic DirectorOriginally from Monroe, Georgia, Benjamin (Ben) Smith is a flutist, chamber musician, and writer. As a soloist and chamber musician, Ben has performed on major stages across France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and South Korea. An advocate of making music accessible to all audiences, Ben believes in the connective power of chamber music and presenting fresh perspectives. Ben is a founding member of ZaRiah.
Ben Smith
Artistic Operations CoordinatorMexican-American bassoonist Abigail Lopez serves as Artistic Operations Coordinator for Queen City Chamber Music (QCCM), where she helps shape and support the organization’s artistic programming and initiatives. Through her work with QCCM, she is committed to creating engaging chamber music experiences that foster connection, accessibility, and artistic collaboration within Charlotte’s growing cultural landscape.
Abigail Lopez
Events Coordinator
AJ Neubert, a native of Buffalo, New York, is currently the Principal Bassoonist of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. He received his bachelor's degree from the Oberlin Conservatory, studying with Drew Pattison, as well as a Performance Studies Certificate at The Colburn School, studying with Richard Beene. AJ is a founding member of ZaRiah.
AJ Neubert
Curator
Jamison Hillian is an accomplished oboist and chamber musician based in Charlotte, North Carolina. A member of the award-winning chamber ensemble ZaRiah, he has appeared in performances presented by the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle, Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City, and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Chamber Concert Series.
Jamison Hillian
Curator
Braydon Ross is a horn fellow with the New World Symphony and Assistant Principal/Utility Horn of the Sarasota Orchestra. Previously, he was a member of the Santa Cruz Symphony, Stockton Symphony and Orchestra Next. Braydon has performed as a chamber musician at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and Tianjin Juilliard’s 2025 symposium.