Keith Huffman lives with his family in Broomfield, Colorado (a suburb of Denver), and he
earns his living in the software and IT industry. During his off hours, Keith has helped multiple non-profits (including Ascend Performing Arts) with their web and social media presence. Between 2006 and 2015 Keith volunteered for the award-winning high school marching band where his two children attended – in pit crew, as prop builder, and from 2013 to 2015 as Logistics Coordinator and marching festival staff. Keith also volunteers for a local independent open winterguard group by shooting rehearsal videos, helping with their website and social media, and building tarp carts.
While growing up in Toledo, Ohio, Keith was an early fan of drum corps: “As a kid, I enjoyed watching drum corps championships on PBS and rooting for the Toledo Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps. During 5th grade, I wanted to learn to play trumpet, and thus my mom put me in organ lessons. My one dancing experience that might have prepped me for guard was about age 8 with top hat and green cummerbund tap dancing to ‘Sunny Side of the Street’ at a nursing home’s St. Patricks Day bash. Also at a young age, I was ‘drummed’ out of the percussion line when I couldn’t carry the beat for ‘Three Little Fishies,’ but I did get to carry the banner in a 4th of July parade through downtown Toledo!”
Keith is proud that both of his children have experienced the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps as performers. His son Justin played Baritone Horn in 2009, and his daughter Kirsten has been a member of the Color Guard since 2013. Since 2009, Keith has been involved with the Blue Knights as a parent volunteer, and he is also pleased to be in a position to contribute his talents and spare time to Ascend Performing Arts. Since 2013, Keith has worked as the Blue Knights Volunteer Coordinator, provided hands-on help at audition/rehearsal camps, and helped with the Ascend Performing Arts social media development.
Keith commented, “I am very happy that what I couldn’t do as a performer, I can do somewhat vicariously as a volunteer for an honorable organization. What I love about volunteering is knowing that even the smallest contribution can have synergistic effects and help so many live their passion. It allows me to be part of something larger than myself that has a positive influence on the lives of many youth and young adults. While I started with the Blue Knights to support my kids, I hope that many years from now I am still somehow helping Ascend Performing Arts achieve its mission and grow.”