Blue Knights Alum, Rebecca Coffee, recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and completed her student teaching at Legend High School under the guidance of Mr. Orlando Otis.
We took a few moments with this remarkable alumni to ask her some questions:
What year(s) did you march in the Blue Knights?
2010
What section?
Trumpet!
Where did you attend high school?
I attended Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, CO.
Education beyond high school?
I recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, where I pursued music education.
Why did you choose to march with Blue Knights?
I chose to march Blue Knights because I had grown up watching them and wanted to become a part of this great group that so close to home!
What is your favorite drum corps memory?
The memory that stands out the most is our free day in Seaside, Oregon…watching the fireworks on the beach with the whole drum corps!
How did your experience with Blue Knights benefit you as an upcoming educator?
My experience really helped to understand how to relate to different people, and it helped my work ethic, which I am able to pass along to my students. In addition, I learned how to become a much better musician and marcher.
You were named the “Outstanding Student Teacher” at CMEA a few weeks ago. What has your student teaching experience been like?
My time in student teaching was SO incredible! I had the opportunity to work with wonderfully talented students at Legend High School, and I learned so much under Mr. Orlando Otis. I feel very lucky to have been a part of their highest scoring season, where they ended up finishing fourth at the state marching band competition! Although there were many long weeknights and marching competitions nearly every weekend, I really wouldn’t change a thing.
What area/age range of education are you looking to get into and what do you hope to accomplish as you begin your teaching career?
I feel that I’m really prepared for anything, though I would love to teach high school and have a marching and concert band program of my own.
What advice would you tell someone considering trying out for the Blue Knights?
Just go and have fun. Try to take something away from it every day that you’re there!
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