2018 Member Spotlights
“After being a member of both the Winds and Drumline, I can say that everyone has a place in the Pride of Niner Nation, just like I found mine!”
Gavin Fulker (Drumline) is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in music education. After graduation, he plans to go onto graduate school for a degree in conducting or clarinet performance, or find a job teaching music in the meantime. This is Gavin’s second year in the PNNMB, playing clarinet his first season and now marching cymbals as part of the Drumline.
Gavin grew up in Denver, North Carolina, and attended North Lincoln High school where he graduated in 2017. Throughout high school, he was very active in the North Lincoln “Band of Knights,” marching clarinet for two years before becoming drum major of the marching band, as well as four seasons as part of the school’s indoor drumline playing auxiliary percussion, cymbals and bass drum. Gavin’s favorite part about marching band has always been coming together and working hard with his friends to create an emotional experience for audiences. He loves sharing the joy and passion found in music.
Here’s what Gavin has to say about the PNNMB:
“I’ve never regretted joining the band since coming to college. The friendships I’ve formed and connections I’ve made with my fellow bandmates have been some of the most meaningful ever. They’ve helped shape me into the person I am today. Being a part of the band really does instill a person with pride, and the fans reflect that pride every time we perform. Whether marching onto the field for pregame, or cheering on our team alongside students in the stands, we become a part of something greater than ourselves every time we put on the uniform. After being a member of both the Winds and Drumline, I can say that everyone has a place in the Pride of Niner Nation, just like I found mine!”
“PNNMB has been the most-influential part of my time at UNC Charlotte so far.”
Carmen Ballard (Colorguard) is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in psychology and minoring in dance. When she isn’t rehearsing with the PNNMB or studying in the library, she is working in a dance studio on campus or hanging out with her friends. Although she hasn’t yet decided on an exact career path, she hopes to continue dancing and wants to stay involved in the colorguard community after graduation.
This is Carmen’s second year with the PNNMB as a colorguard member. She started doing colorguard as a freshman with the Athens Drive High School Marching Band in Raleigh, North Carolina. After performing in the colorguard and winterguard all four years, and serving as a captain her last two seasons, she couldn’t let her love for the activity go. She joined the PNNMB for the 2017 season. This year, she is serving as Assistant Colorguard Captain, where she manages communication and coordination between members, other student leaders and staff, as well as mentoring new members. Her favorite part about marching band is being around people that love doing the activity as much as she does.
Here’s what Carmen has to say about the PNNMB:
“PNNMB has been the most-influential part of my time at UNC Charlotte so far. My favorite time of day is when I can stop worrying about life, and take a few hours to work on what I love to do with so many others. We create so much in just one semester, and it’s impossible to explain everything that goes into it. I won’t say there isn’t any blood, sweat or tears… but laughter, pride and spirit outweigh all of it. There’s nothing like looking back on the season and saying to each other, ‘Wow, we really just did that!’ The friendships I’ve gained in this program are unlike any bonds I’ve made anywhere else, especially having now traveled to FRANCE together!”
“PNNMB is a family, and I’m honored to be a part of something as truly special as this.”
Brandon Burnette (Winds) is a junior at UNC Charlotte, majoring in business management with a concentration in talent management. Upon graduation he plans to work as a talent agent, and one day run his own agency. This is his third year as a member of PNNMB’s trumpet section. In his free time, Brandon loves watching movies and playing basketball with his friends.
Brandon is from Graham, North Carolina, and graduated from Eastern Alamance High School in 2016. He played trumpet as a member of the Eastern Alamance Marching Eagles all four years, serving as section leader his senior year. Brandon’s favorite part about being in marching band is meeting and getting to know so many friendly people.
Here’s what Brandon has to say about the PNNMB:
“This band has been such a great experience for me. I have experienced so many different things while being a part of the PNNMB. We performed as the halftime entertainment for the Carolina Panthers and I also had the opportunity to travel to France. The band has helped me get to know many different people from a variety of backgrounds. PNNMB is a family, and I’m honored to be a part of something as truly special as this.”
“Being in the PNNMB has given me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself, and has pushed me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be.”
Madeline Bellanger (Winds) is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, double-majoring in applied anthropology and computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity. After graduation, she hopes to work for a government agency, where she can incorporate both degrees into her work. This is her first year as a member of PNNMB’s piccolo section. When she isn’t studying, Madeline enjoys painting, crafts and baking… specifically cheesecake.
Madeline is from Rockingham, North Carolina and graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 2017. She was a member of the Richmond Senior High School “Marching Raiders” all four years where she marched flute, piccolo and was drum major. She was the flute section leader her sophomore and junior years, and was drum major her senior year. Madeline was also the uniform manager during her sophomore and junior years. Her favorite thing about marching band is having the opportunity to create something that everyone can enjoy.
Here’s what Madeline has to say about the PNNMB:
“My freshman year of college, I unfortunately decided to not participate in marching band because I thought it would take up too much time and that it wouldn’t be as fun as high school. I was wrong! Being in the PNNMB has given me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself, and has pushed me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. I have developed bonds with incredible individuals and have a group of people that I call my family.”
By Dr. Chesley Black, Student Leadership Program & Media Director