DENVER, CO – Ascend Performing Arts is pleased to announce the induction of two exceptional individuals into the Blue Knights Hall of Fame for 2026: Keenan Evans and Ethan Goddard.
These dedicated alumni have made profound and lasting contributions to the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps and the wider Ascend Performing Arts organization, embodying the spirit, dedication, and excellence that define our community. Their unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and innovative thinking have left an indelible mark on the organization and the lives of countless members.
The Hall of Fame was created to preserve the memory of the incredible people who have made a substantial, positive impact to the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps and who can serve as role models for present and future generations. The Blue Knights Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding alumni, educational staff, administrative staff, and volunteers who have contributed significantly to the organization.
This year, the Hall of Fame Committee has selected the 2026 inductees who will be recognized at this year’s Drums Along the Rockies event at Colorado State University (get your tickets to the show here).
∴ Read about our past Blue Knights Hall of Fame Classes of here.
KEENAN EVANS
Keenan Evans’ sixteen-year journey with the Blue Knights is a masterclass in dedication and “service-based leadership.” He first stepped onto the field as a mellophone player for the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps from 2010 to 2012. His character and work ethic were recognized immediately by his peers and staff, earning him the prestigious Tigue Boxwell Memorial Award in 2012. Following his age-out from the drum corps, Keenan continued his performance career with the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble on cymbals for the 2013 and 2014 WGI seasons, where he was once again honored with the Dan Burke Memorial Award in 2014.
Beyond his time as a performer, Keenan became the architect of what many members describe as a “welcoming home” culture. Since 2013, he has served as a pillar of the drum corps operations staff, ensuring the complex logistics of a summer national tour ran smoothly while maintaining a culture of inclusivity. Working together with Ethan Goddard & the drum corps operations staff, he was regularly the “go-to guy”—the person who always had an answer or the willingness to find one. From managing group ticket sales for Drums Along the Rockies & Corps Encore, to sewing repairs for uniforms and guard silks while on the road or sewing face masks for the 2021 percussion ensemble’s modified season, implementing an asset management system for Ascend’s equipment, or building out detailed spreadsheets for the office to track its data, and in so many other ways Keenan has had a significant impact on the Ascend Performing Arts organization. In addition, Keenan has been a pivotal staff member behind the scenes of the BKXperience program, facilitating the supplied percussion instruments for the event and helping guide the next generation of Blue Knights.
In 2020, Keenan took the helm as the Director of the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble after first being a visual instructor and then ensemble manager for the group. Under his leadership, the ensemble has navigated some of its most transformative seasons, from navigating COVID-19 with a modified outdoor-only “indoor percussion” season, to a return to WGI Finals in 2022, and continues to always strive for the best world class experience for its membership in the fast paced environment of WGI percussion today. In coordination with his staff, Keenan was an instrumental force in reactivating BKO, the open class percussion ensemble from the Blue Knights, which had been dormant since the mid 2000s. A graduate of the University of Colorado-Denver with a degree in Mathematics, Keenan has applied his analytical mind to the organization’s success. Whether he is providing support for a struggling member, managing the logistics for an ensemble, problem solving a props project, or running miles to raise funds as part of “Team Ascend” in the Colfax Marathon Relay, Keenan remains a bridge between the organization’s history and its impact on the performing arts community today.
Keenan embodies the enduring impact of what it means to be a Blue Knight, applying the lessons learned over a decade ago to his life and continuing to strengthen the performing arts community. His ongoing leadership and dedication as an active alumnus are truly commendable.
Nominated by: Blue Knights Alumni, CJ Garcia
ETHAN GODDARD
Ethan Goddard is the personification of the phrase “he did it all.” For well over a decade, Ethan has been an indispensable force behind the scenes, ensuring the success, safety, and operational excellence of every ensemble under the Ascend Performing Arts umbrella. His contribution began as a tuba player in the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, but his true legacy is defined by his transition into vital administrative and leadership.
Ethan’s record of service is unmatched in its breadth. As Operations Director for the drum corps for several years, he managed the immense logistical challenges of moving a world-class ensemble across the country, ensuring members were supported, fed, and housed. He seamlessly extended this expertise into the winter months, serving as Operations Staff for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble and as a founding pillar of the Blue Knights Winds leadership team, helping that ensemble transition from its 2019 inception into a competitive reality.
Beyond tour logistics, Ethan has been a mainstay of the BKXperience program, helping recruit and mentor the next generation of Blue Knights. His impact is also digital, where he took on the monumental task of building the next generation of the organization’s online presence, including the Ascend Performing Arts, BKXperience, and BKMarketplace websites. Whether he is volunteering in his “off” hours, participating in the Colfax Marathon Relay, or fixing a logistical hurdle on the road at 2:00 AM, Ethan’s dedication is never satisfied with “good enough.” He remains a primary reason the Blue Knights are recognized today as a premier, professional organization.
Ethan’s sustained commitment and diverse contributions across the organization has had a tangible and lasting positive impact on the organization and the lives of countless individuals associated with the Blue Knights.
Nominated by: Blue Knights Hall of Famer, Gregory “GM” Kuzma