Meet our Celebrities: Kristine Wylie

A graduate of NCSU, Kristine Wylie began working part-time as a student at Jewelsmith, a small custom jewelry store in Durham, in 2003. Rising through the ranks, she was appointed President by the late store owner, Linda McGill, before McGill’s untimely passing, which left Kristine and five of her teammates as co-owners of the beloved jewelry store.  

Kristine continues to emphasize the importance of supporting organizations that improve lives in the community. Jewelsmith and its staff are deeply involved in both donations and volunteer work for many Durham community-building organizations, and she is extremely proud of her team. At last year’s annual fundraiser, Jewelsmith won the naming rights for the Green Room at the Carolina Theatre. In July 2024, we were proud to unveil the ‘Linda McGill Green Room’ in honor of Jewelsmith’s former president. 

Outside of the showroom, Kristine is likely soaking up the sun and sea at the beach, exploring new destinations, attending live shows, or trying new recipes and cuisine. And, of course, life wouldn’t be complete without Ace, her rescue sidekick and the best dog around. 

We are so excited to have Kristine join us on the Carolina Theatre stage to show us her moves! We asked Kristine to share more about herself, and this is what we learned: 

Jewelsmith has a long history of supporting local nonprofits including Carolina Theatre. How important is supporting the Theatre, and what role do you believe we play in Durham’s community development?  

Supporting the Carolina Theatre is incredibly important to us because it’s a cultural cornerstone of Durham that brings people together from all over – through film, music, live performances. As creatives, we at Jewelsmith value the power of the arts to inspire, connect and enrich the community. By supporting the Carolina Theatre, we invest in Durham’s cultural vibrancy and diversity, ensuring that future generations have access to artistic expression and shared experiences. 

We are so proud to have the Theatre’s Green Room named and dedicated to honor the late Linda McGill. What was Linda’s relationship to the Carolina Theatre and to Durham? 

Linda McGill was Durham- born, raised, and rested. She attended many shows with her family and friends for over 60 years. She had a strong passion and commitment to the arts. She was a visionary and understood that Durham was, is, would be, and continues to be an artistic hub. She is an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She knew that the preservation of the Carolina Theatre was vital to have a local space for creativity and community engagement. We love that her legacy lives on in the Green Room, where performers and artists can compose themselves as they feel her kindred spirit and dedication.

Jewelsmith is known for creating unique and high-quality jewelry pieces. Why are one-of-a-kind pieces so important to a community? 

Because individuality and expression matters! A unique piece is more than just jewelry- it’s a story, a legacy, a commemoration and connects people and generations. Just like Durham, our designs honor authenticity, originality, pride in craftsmanship, and the power of self-expression. Choosing us to create your jewelry supports artisans and sustainable craftsmanship, reinforcing a sense of place and identity in the community. Whether it’s a brand-new piece or a reimagined heirloom, we believe what you wear should be as unique as you. And, TBH, who wants to blend in when you can STAND OUT!

We know we can find you on the showroom floor, but what about the dance floor? Is this your first time performing on stage – how are you feeling about performing? 

This is my first stage performance in over 20 years, when I had good knees and abundant energy. But, like the showroom floor, I’m going to own this dance floor (ha, ha!)! I’m excited and nervous, but it’s all about having fun, while fundraising for an awesome organization, and giving the audience a little something EXTRA – just like we do at Jewelsmith every day!!

Why did you decide to participate as a Celebrity Dance in this year’s Dancing With The Carolina Stars?!

How could I not? It’s an honor to be chosen for this opportunity to support the Carolina Theatre in such a fun, positive and meaningful way. I can celebrate the arts, promote amazing Jewelsmith, and do one of my most favorite things – dance! And let’s keep it real- I get to wear fabulous things, move my body, and give back- that’s a YES. Plus, I heard there’s lights and sequins, and I can’t resist a little sparkle!! 

Kristine is honored to support The Carolina Theatre and its mission to bring the community together to celebrate the arts. Fueled by adventure, rhythm, and a love for life, Kristine believes in embracing every moment with joy, passion, and a lot of dancing along the way! She will be paired with Anthony Otto Nelson, Jr to perform for you a modern piece that will have you out of your seat dancing too! 

Come celebrate with us at the Carolina Theatre on May 21 to support our talented dancers, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. We will be serving up delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, groove to lively tunes from local bands and enjoy the incredible entertainment from our performers.  

Buy your tickets now for an unforgettable performance by Kristine & Anthony!