Courtney Wheeler Returns to PineCone as Executive Director

PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, is pleased to announce that Courtney Wheeler will be the organization’s next executive director, effective Aug. 17, 2026.

Wheeler is a familiar name and face to many who have enjoyed PineCone’s programming in the last several years – she was PineCone’s membership coordinator from 2012 to 2021.

Since then, she has worked with nonprofit organizations in Western North Carolina, including as executive director of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music and director of membership and communications for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. She’s also been involved with festival operations at MerleFest for more than two decades, IBMA’s World of Bluegrass, the Blue Ridge Ukulele Festival and the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival.

“I am honored to be returning as executive director and grateful for the opportunity to bring everything I’ve learned during my previous time with PineCone and at Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music back to an organization that helped shape my career and passion for traditional music,” Wheeler said.

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue the mission-focused work of preserving these traditions and bringing people together through shared cultural experiences. PineCone has a remarkable way of creating lifelong connections, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be living proof of them. I look forward to leading the organization into its next chapter.”

As executive director, Wheeler will oversee all of PineCone’s operations and programming, including the Down Home Concert series, Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, workshops, jam sessions, youth camps and more. She’ll supervise PineCone’s staff and report to the nonprofit’s Board of Directors.

“From among dozens of candidates hailing from several states, the Search Committee came to a unanimous decision that Courtney possesses the ideal blend of institutional knowledge, nonprofit leadership experience and unwavering dedication to traditional music, making her exceptionally qualified to steer PineCone into the future,” said Rob Nelson, PineCone board treasurer and head of the Search Committee.

Board president Jack Roush echoed that sentiment, adding: “PineCone’s Board of Directors is eager to begin working with Courtney as we embark on PineCone’s next chapter.”

PineCone’s current executive director, David Brower, earlier this year announced plans to retire. He will assist Wheeler as she begins her new role, ensuring a smooth transition as the organization continues planning for this year’s Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival on Oct. 1-3.

“I will cherish my time with PineCone and am grateful to my colleagues, PineCone members and all the musicians who’ve made these past seven years so much fun,” Brower said. “I feel blessed to have had this opportunity to work so closely with the music I love.”

PineCone looks forward to Wheeler’s leadership as it continues its long-running work to connect the community to the music deeply rooted here.