This year we have one returning drum major from the 2020 season, Cam Cobb. Cam went to Estero High School where she was a drum major, and started her marching career at UCF in 2018 on the drum line as a cymbal player. As a sophomore, she was selected to serve as the cymbal section leader, and last year was her first year on the drum major podium leading the band. Cam is a music education major who hopes to eventually be an elementary music teacher after graduation to help develop the next generation of young musicians. During her time at UCF, Cam has performed not only in the Marching Knights, but also the Jammin’ Knights, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Steel Drum Band, Percussion Ensemble, and New Music Ensemble. She has also been learning the Clarinet and performing in the University Band on that instrument. Cam is also a member of the band service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, and this year will be their president. Cam is excited to be returning as a drum major for the Marching Knights, and to work with our talented leadership team.
Simone Sharrieff will be entering her fourth year with the Marching Knights this coming year, and this will be her first year as one of our drum majors. According to our records, she holds the distinction as the first African American female drum major of the Marching Knights. Simone is a music education major, and hopes to teach middle or high school band after graduating. She went to Lake Minneola High School, where she was a drum major. At UCF, Simone was the baritone section leader her second year, and the section coordinator this past season. While at UCF, she has also performed in the Jammin’ Knights, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. This year she was also in the Women’s Choir and has been learning to play flute and performing on that instrument in the University Band. Simone also plays trombone, and is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Simone’s favorite quotes are “Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered” - Duke Ellington, and “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Ayan Desai will be in his third season with the Marching Knights in 2021 and this will be his first year as one of our drum majors. According to our records, he holds the distinction as the first Asian American to serve as a UCF drum major. Ayan is from Okeechobee High School where he was a drum major. Last year, Ayan was one of our mellophone section leaders. He is a chemistry major, with a track in biochemistry, and hopes to either be a doctor or researcher. During his time at UCF, he has also been a member of the Jammin’ Knights and Concert Band. In addition to his participation in the Marching Knights, Ayan was a senator in the UCF Student Government, and is the current external Vice President for the Asian Pacific American Coalition at UCF. He is excited to be working with his fellow drum majors to create an inclusive and entertaining environment where students can grow and become leaders.
We look forward to what our 2021 drum majors and the rest of our student leadership team will bring to the program and know that they will certainly “Lead the Charge” for the Marching Knights this upcoming season.Photo Credit: Mike Kitaif
CONGRATULATIONS to the UCF Wind Ensemble for their selection as a featured performing ensemble for the 2020 College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference, February 20-22, hosted at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. There were only seven college & university bands invited from the 10-state Southern Division to perform and selections were made through blind evaluation of live performance audio application submissions.The UCF Wind Ensemble remains extremely active in maintaining a national presence through conference performances, recording - including their 2018 commercial release of their Zodiac Concerto CD through 
We are excited to welcome Christopher Haubenestel as our new Assistant Color Guard Instructor. Chris is a UCF Marching Knights alumnus and former color guard captain. He has since moved on to coach some of the top color guards in Central Florida. Here is his full bio:Chris Haubenestel has been involved with the marching arts for over ten years. Born and raised in Florida, he received a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida. Chris performed with the University of South Florida Herd of Thunder Colorguard and is also a UCF Marching Knights Alumnus, having performed with the Starlet Knights during the 2012 and 2013 seasons where he also served as section leader. Other performance credits include: USF Winterguard, Orlando Visual, and UCF Pegasus World.Chris has taught a plethora of award winning colorguards throughout the Central Florida Region including: St. Cloud High School, East Ridge High School, UCF Marching Knights, UCF Pegasus A (2016 and 2017 WGI IA top ten finalists) as Team Director, and UCF Pegasus Open (2018 WGI IO Gold Medalists) also as Team Director. He currently serves as the Colorguard Director at Lake Nona High School.Outside of the marching arts Chris serves the community as the Prevention Contract Manager for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County Area 7 HIV/AIDS Program Office, where he oversees prevention programming in the Orlando Service Area.We are excited to have Chris back with the Marching Knights and look forward to what he will bring to our color guard!
