KIRK GAY, Principal Percussion
    Mr. Gay obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University.  He later went on to study with Paul Yancich and Richard Weiner at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he received his Master’s Degree in Timpani Performance.

    Mr. Gay marched in Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps from 1986 – 1989 where he was 1989 DCI Timpani Individuals Champion and two time DCM Timpani Individuals Champion. He has taught and written for many drum and bugle corps including The Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, Magic of Orlando and The Yokohama Inspires from Japan. Mr. Gay was head arranger and caption head with Phantom Regiment in 1996 when they were DCI Champions.  He has also written for many bands across the country including Cypress Creek H.S. (FL), Churchill H.S. (TX) and Northrop H.S. (IN).

    In 1998 Mr. Gay toured Europe with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.  He has performed with the Walt Disney World Orchestra, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic, The Orlando Philharmonic and currently is the Principal Percussionist with The Brevard Symphony Orchestra. 

    Recently Mr. Gay joined the faculty of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. There he teaches student lessons, directs “Black Steel”, the UCF steel drum ensemble and arranges for and instructs the Marching Knights Drumline. He is an endorser and clinician for Pro-Mark sticks and Sabian Cymbals.

DAWN MARIE EDWARDS, Principal Harp
    Dawn Marie Edwards, graduate of the Eastman School of Music, began her orchestral career while still in school.  Dawn has won international auditions for both Europe and the U.S.  While in Europe, she toured Europe extensively with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Castilla y Leon and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife of the Canary Islands.  Her recordings include the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto available on the CineArt label.  She has also recorded and toured with great artists such as Wynton Marsalis, James Galway, and Aurora Ginestera. 

Since moving to Florida, Ms. Edwards has been the Principal Harpist of the Florida Orchestra, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Miami City Ballet, and Bach Festival Orchestra.  Guest Principal Harp positions include Savannah, Jacksonville, Naples, Key West, and the Dominican Republic.  In addition to her orchestral performances, Dawn is the Artistic Director, Principal Harpist, and founder of the Orlando Chamber Soloists and their summer residence in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Along with classical chamber programs, educational programs are performed  in rural and economically depressed areas throughout the Black Hills, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and Iowa This past summer, Dawn also performed "Classical Gas" at  Mt. Rushmore for the 4th of July.