2019 Member Spotlights
“I’ve met so many amazing people and have seen myself grow not only as a performer and a spinner, but also as a person.”
Kayla Jones (Colorgaurd) is a sophomore transfer student at UNC Charlotte, majoring in biology. After graduation, she plans to continue her education by attending medical school, in order to her pursue her goal of becoming a pediatrician. In her free time, Kayla enjoys shopping, doing her hair, making YouTube videos and spending time with her friends.
This is her first year as a member of the PNNMB Colorguard. Kayla’s love of colorguard started in the seventh grade at Harris Road Middle School. She then continued her journey at Cox Mill High School as a member of the “Spirit of Cox Mill” for two years. Her favorite part about marching band is that she can completely be herself around people who have just as much love for it as she does.
Here’s what Kayla has to say about the PNNMB:
“I’ve always enjoyed marching band, but haven’t enjoyed it as much as I do being a member of the PNNMB. College is already stressful enough, so the fact that I’m able to spend time with a great group of people at rehearsal and on game days allows me to relieve so much stress. I’ve met so many amazing people and have seen myself grow not only as a performer and a spinner, but also as a person. I’m truly honored to be a member of this amazing family.”
“Joining PNNMB has allowed me to appreciate the university more than most people.”
Connor Ridgeway (Winds) is a freshman at UNC Charlotte. He plans on majoring in music education and wants to become a high school band director. This is his first year as a member of PNNMB’s trumpet section.
Connor is from Hendersonville, North Carolina and graduated from North Henderson High School. He was lead trumpet his senior year, and has been doing marching band since eighth grade. Connor says marching band is important because it builds character. He loves the energy that everybody brings and says that PNNMB feels like a family. Connor also likes to longboard around campus and go exploring with friends.
Here’s what Connor has to say about the PNNMB:
“PNNMB has already had a positive impact on my life at college. Everybody in the band is super nice, and joining has gifted me some of my best friends. I know I’m going to keep in touch with them for years to come after we graduate. Joining PNNMB has allowed me to appreciate the university more than most people. Going to football, basketball and volleyball games is fun and shows how great Niner Nation truly is.”
“No other activity compares to the feeling you get when you perform out there on the turf side by side with your friends.”
Damian Rodriguez (Winds) is a freshman at UNC Charlotte majoring in computer science. He plans on attending Officer Candidate School in pursuit of a promising career as a military aviator, with hopes of one day becoming an astronaut. This is Damian’s first year as a member of PNNMB’s Sousaphone section.
Damian is from Fayetteville, North Carolina where he graduated from Jack Britt High School. He marched all four years of high school as a member of the Jack Britt Marching Buccaneers. He played flute his freshman year, and soon after made the transition to sousaphone. His senior year he served in a leadership role as sousaphone section leader. One of Damian’s favorite parts of being in marching band is the tight-knit community of people. Outside of band, he likes to lift weights, get involved in aviation and meet up with friends.
Here’s what Damian has to say about the PNNMB:
“Joining the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band brought with it an immediate huge network of like-minded individuals. This band has developed my attention-to-detail mindset and strengthened my mental grit. No other activity compares to the feeling you get when you perform out there on the turf side by side with your friends. Especially when the crowd goes wild after an exciting performance. PNNMB is the most exciting element of my college experience.”
“You create friendships, memories and experiences with people of all ages that you’ll take through the rest of your life.”
Makenzie Davis (Drumline) is a freshman at UNC Charlotte majoring in math. She plans to concentrate in actuarial sciences in order to pursue becoming an actuary after graduation. This is her first year in the Pride of Niner Nation and she plays first bass in the drumline.
Makenzie is from Kannapolis, North Carolina and graduated from A.L. Brown High School. She played clarinet in middle school and through her sophomore year of high school, then switched to bass drum her junior year. Makenzie was a clarinet section leader her sophomore year and a leader in the bass section of the drumline her senior year. In the winter seasons, she did indoor percussion for three years and also played bass clarinet in concert band. This winter, she will be marching first bass for Revelation Percussion. Outside of band, Makenzie has a service project for homeless veterans, spends a lot of time with family and friends, enjoys going out to eat and playing Webkinz in the library.
Here’s what Makenzie has to say about the PNNMB:
“My favorite part of our band is the fact that it’s a fun, family environment. Each rehearsal brings everyone closer together. I love being a part of the drumline because even after being around each other several days a week, we still talk and hang out outside of practice. You create friendships, memories and experiences with people of all ages that you’ll take through the rest of your life.”
“PNNMB truly embraces community and we’re committed to building something bigger than ourselves.”
Hayden Askea (Winds) is a freshman at UNC Charlotte, and he is a clarinet player in the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band. He is studying marketing in hopes of working with student groups in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Hayden is from Asheville, North Carolina where he graduated from T.C. Roberson High School. Hayden has served in many leadership roles through marching band, most recently as drum major of the T.C. Roberson Marching Rams. He describes his favorite part of marching band as the connections and bonds built through music. Outside of band, Hayden enjoys hiking and spending time with friends. He is also a probationary member of the Sigma Beta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha.
Here’s what Hayden has to say about the PNNMB:
“This band includes such a diverse population of majors and backgrounds. My favorite tradition happens every Friday after rehearsal when the band locks arms and sings the alma mater. It calibrates all of us after a long, busy week of school and refocuses us on the importance of unity and bonds. PNNMB truly embraces community and we’re committed to building something bigger than ourselves. I’m extremely grateful for the staff and leadership of this great program!”
“What better place to show pride than that of being a member of the Pride of Niner Nation?”
Matthew Barker (Incoming Member) is an incoming freshman from Vale, North Carolina. He will be graduating from West Lincoln High School this June where he is the Student Body Vice President. Matthew plans to pursue a major in international business here at UNC Charlotte. This fall will be Matthew’s first season as member of PNNMB and he will be marching in the mellophone section.
Matthew has been very dedicated to the West Lincoln Rebel Regiment under the direction of Taylor Brown. He has been a part of the Rebel Regiment since his eighth-grade year. Matthew marched his first year on trumpet and switched to mellophone for the past four years. He also plays the French horn in concert band.
Throughout his time in the Rebel Regiment, he has been a part of the field crew as well as mellophone section leader for the past two seasons. Matthew’s favorite part about being in marching band has been creating bonds with others who share the same appreciation for the art. Outside of band, Matthew enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and meeting new people.
Here’s what Matthew has to say about the PNNMB:
“As an incoming member of PNNMB, I’m am eager to continue my passion of creating a superior performance standing by those who share the same joy and pride. What better place to show pride than that of being a member of the Pride of Niner Nation?”
“Joining PNNMB was the best decision I made coming into college”
Tucker Smith (Graduating Member) graduated this weekend with his Bachelor of Music, concentration in Music Education. He started his journey with the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band during our inaugural year as Tenor Saxophone Section Leader. Throughout his four years, he served PNNMB as Alto and Tenor Section Leader, Assistant Drum Major and Head Drum Major.
Tucker has also excelled within the UNC Charlotte Music Department by being a key saxophone player in both the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Saxophone Quartet. He finished his undergraduate career by completing his student teaching internship with the North Lincoln High School “Band of Knights” under the direction of Kevin Still. Tucker holds membership within Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and CNAFME.
For Tucker’s future, he plans to teach high school band within North Carolina, and wants to change the lives of future students.
Here’s what Tucker has to say about the PNNMB:
“Joining PNNMB was the best decision I made coming into college. I can’t thank the staff and members enough for being such a huge asset to my journey as an undergraduate student. I‘m so excited for the future of this band!”
By Dr. Chesley Black, Student Leadership Program & Media Director