MarvelUS is the brainchild of Lisa Michaels and Charlene MirandaThomas. Both ladies are originally from New York and met in a studio in Charlotte back in 2021.
They immediately started collaborating together
on a song that Lisa wrote for her pending nuptials to her new husband.
From there they crafted the finest singers and musicians who all joined the vision of MarvelUS and what is now a “family”.
Together, their sound is very special. The singers' voices blend beautifully! Each are lead singers who also back each other up with 3 and 4 part harmonies behind the singer who is singing lead on that song.
Many hours have been dedicated to bringing Charlotte and the surrounding areas a musical
experience as well as a visual show!
Who's Who in marvelus band
Passion, Dedication & Musicality
Bandleader
Lead Vocalist
Emcee
Band Manager
Lisa Michaels
Lisa is originally from Long Island New York . Her musicality showed up very early, as her parents told her she could whistle at just 8 months old! At age 7 she was a flower girl at her uncles wedding where she asked her Dad if she could sing a song she knew from the play South Pacific. She stood on a chair to reach the microphone and sang a cappella in front of 200 people. Her Dad was also a very good singer and supported her love for music.
Lisa studied classical voice at age 12 with professor Cesare Longo at NYU.
She began writing original music in her early teens and performed her original music with the high school jazz band, the first time the jazz band ever included a singer!
Years later she attended Adelphi University in their acting program and performed a one woman show on campus, the first of its kind on campus.
Music was always her calling. Performing in local bands for private events at age 15, eventually led her to an opportunity to start her own private event band to lead when she was just 23.
Hot Pursuit Musical Productions was formed and continued to have over 2000 performances up and down the east coast and Tri-state area for 25 years.
Moving to the Carolina’s in September 2019, surviving the pandemic, she decided to bring her talents to Charlotte and has yet once again put together an awesome lineup of Charlottes best musicians and singers to create MarvelUs! This band will surely make a splash in the Charlotte music scene with their blend of RNB, Neo Soul and pop to keep you grooving and moving your feet.
Lisa resides in Lake Wylie, SC with her husband Stephen and their two adorable cats, KC & Phoebe.
Musical Director
Lead Singer
Keyboardist
Charlene Miranda Thomas
Charlene Miranda Thomas is a pianist, vocalist, music director, and arts educator. She has over twenty years of experience in arts education teaching choir, voice, piano, and theatre.
Charlene has worked with various organizations throughout the Charlotte area such as Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Blumenthal Theatre, Theatre Gap Initiative, Charlotte Christian School, and Mooresville Children’s Theatre.
She continues to work as a teaching artist teaching piano, voice, and music theory.
She has been the Music Director for several shows in the Charlotte area as well. Some of her credits include Shrek the Musical, Violet the Musical, High School Musical, Percy Jackson, SpongeBob the Musical, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Charlene is also a published songwriter and music arranger under her own publishing company, Chala Bala Music.
Charlene earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Music from Berklee College of Music and her Master’s in Music Education from Columbia University.
When Charlene is not teaching, writing, or directing music, you can also find her performing some funky tunes with her band – MarvelUs.
Charlene resides in Charlotte, NC with her daughter Mercedes, her grandson Warren, and soon to be new granddaughter coming in early 2025!
Lead Vocalist
Wynn Durrah
Wynn is a native of Spartanburg, SC. His love for music began at the age of 8 years old, with a talent for the drums.
Listening to his parents music, a love for RNB of the 60's and 70's, inspired him not only as a drummer but as a singer too!
Since then, he has had many opportunities to perform in various jazz bands as a drummer and vocalist, opera singer, and musical theatre.
Having met and worked with Charlene in the past, he was quickly recruited to be the first official band member of MarvelUS. He brings his vocal talents and his deep resonating baritone, with silky soft edges and overtones to the music he performs with the band.
Wynn is an absolute treasure to work with and is the heart and soul of MarvelUS!
Currently he resides in Charlotte, NC and loves spending time with his wife Pam and daughter Adelyn.
Lead Vocalist
John David Orr
John David a full spirited musician and singer that hails from the east coast. He has traveled and lived not only in the lower 48 states, but also over seas.
His musical training and ability started at an early age stemming from classical, traditional, liturgical, gospel, contemporary, and jazz influences.
John has produced, musically directed, and performed with several recording artists, choirs and musical institutions. He has recorded three musical albums and has served as lead singer for the group Disciple that has toured the United States, Europe, Israel and Egypt.
John recently resided for awhile in Las Vegas, and pursued his dream of becoming a concert singer and theatrical entertainer. He had the opportunity to perform in several venues and was afforded the opportunity to star in the hit broadway musical, Smokey Joes Café.
He is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and is a strong advocate for social justice for all.
His ambition is to always reach for the stars and to acknowledge the shoulders and path of those who have paved the way musically for those present and for the many generations to come.
John’s musical achievements include graduating with honors, and receiving an award for musical excellence. He received his bachelor’s of Sacred music and received a Master of Divinity from the historical Howard University in Washington DC.
John came back to the east coast in 2022 to Charlotte, NC. He was roommates with Wynn in college, so when he arrived back in Charlotte Wynn asked him to come to rehearsal. It was serendipity! John was immediately welcomed into MarvelUS where his immense musicality and vocal range is a big asset to MarvelUS!
John currently resides in Rock Hill, SC.
Electric Bass player
Travis Cochran
Born and raised in Beckley,West Virginia, Travis knew from a very early age that he wanted to play drums.He was behind a kit by age 8.
Travis admits he sang before he spoke. Years later he picked up an electric bass around age16.
Slapping the bass is his passion and where he excels most!
He was voted most talented (for drums) in high school. After graduation, he moved to Atlanta and went to school at Le Cordon Bleu Alumni to train to be a chef.
Travis auditioned for MarvelUS very early on. His talent and passion for RNB music shines through at every performance.
You can find Travis at many of Charlotte's open mics in the local music scene. When he isn't playing he is supporting someone who is.
Most recently Travis, along with 3 other musicians, formed a blues and RnB quartet, Hot Pocket, playing at small venues in Charlotte between gigs with MarvelUS.
Travis remains as an integral part of MarvelUS and has earned the title " Mr. MarvelUS " over the last 3 years since its inception.
Travis resides in Charlotte, NC and is single. He says he's very proud that the most important thing he has done in his life is get sober 6 years ago. Way to go Travis!
Guitarist
Vocalist
Nathan Harris
Nathan was born and raised in Harmony, NC. He knew early on that music was and is his passion.
Nathan has amazing talent and style playing electric and acoustic guitar. He is also a songwriter. His original music can be found on all major music streaming services. Most notably his latest release, "Ollie's Got A Rifle" has had favorable reviews.
Nathan studied at UNC Chapel Hill, and can be seen at most open mics around Charlotte.
His band, Nathan Harris & The Flood plays out as well, playing blues, soul and original music.
Nathan toured with "Diamonds & Whiskey" in 2023, experiencing international travel and the "road".
He recently joined MarvelUS Band when he was recommended to Wynn when we were searching for a substitute. After hearing his immense musical talent and style, the band asked him to join!
We are all excited to see what else Nathan will bring to MarvelUS!
Nathan currently resides in Statesville, NC and is single.
Drummer
Lead Vocalist
Charles McClain
Born and raised in the Washington, DC area, Charles grew up with music all around him. His parents played instruments and sang, and eventually, the music bug hopped onto Charles.
He played the oboe in school and sang in church choirs all through his school years.
Once he graduated from high school, Charles taught himself how to play drums, keys and bass.
Shortly after meeting his wife (Sherley) in college, they married and moved to Charlotte, NC.
Charles became a staple in the Charlotte cover band music scene playing with Pop Roxx, MochaBrown, Uptown Swagga and NoDa’s Heavy Rotation.
He released the solo project “You Just Got Mac’d” as Charles Mac through the Carolina Music Lab record label.
Currently, he’s a member of MarvelUs Band, Rev O and the Hellhounds and Queen City Groovers as a drummer. He also Co leads the Eddie Schenk Band, and plays keys, co leads and sings for Hot Pocket.
Charles is a welcome addition to MarvelUS this year with his many talents and his sense of humor, always making the band laugh at rehearsals!
Charles resides in Indian Trail, NC with his wife Sherley, and twin daughters, Cam & Bri.