The 2008-2009 season marks the ninth with Charles Ellis as the Musical Director of the Danville Symphony Orchestra. His musical career spans over four decades as a teacher, conductor, orchestra arranger and performer. He came to the Danville area as the first band director at Dan River High School. During his seven-year tenure at Dan River, he led the instrumental music program at the high school from an empty band room to a regionally traveled and award-winning program.

 His musical pursuits are broad. In addition to his work with the Symphony, he runs a swing-to-jazz quintet, has served as the interim Choir Director at Danville’s First Presbyterian Church for three extended periods, performs regularly as a trumpet soloist and ensemble member, and has served as musical director for local Broadway productions as well as a player.

 With an overall interest in the arts community, he has served on the Boards of the Danville Concert Association, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, and the Danville Alliance for Arts and Culture. He has served in numerous local and district positions with Boy Scouts of America. Currently he is a member of the Danville Crime Stoppers Board, the Rotary Club of Danville, and Vice-Chairman of the Danville Airport Commission.

 Aside from his love of music, he is an active pilot and holds a commercial pilots license and instrument rating, does free-lance advertising graphic design, enjoys restoring old Volvos, and woodworking. He is a past member of the Public Relations Society of America and Phi Mu Alpha, professional music fraternity.

 Mr. Ellis was reared in Hopewell, VA. He attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University, and received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance in 1963. He later returned to VCU and completed some Masters course-work in his field.

 Carol, his bride of 45 years, is an avid supporter of his pursuits. They are now both retired from full time jobs; he from over 32 years in Public Relations and she from almost 30 years as a Library Media Specialist. They have one son, Shaun. He and his wife Mary Lee reside in Conway, SC.