Homestead band director marched in California’s Rose Parade on New Year’s Day

Joy Harden had the thrill of a lifetime when she marched with more than 360 band directors from across North America in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasedena on Jan. 1.

The band accompanied a colorful, animated float that celebrated the role of band directors in music education.

“It was a rare, once-in-a-lifetime chance. You have to be invited. We had a collection of band directors from around the country and ... , some from outside the country. They ranged from 19 to 80 years old,” Harden said. “That 80-year-old wore a halo ... , after being a band director for over 50 years.”

Born in Atlanta to a musician mom, Harden said she was the first in her family to “go band.” Her late mother, a pianist and organist, taught her piano at an early age.

“There’s a photo of me as a little baby with a tiny piano. We had lessons every day. And if my mom heard us messing around in the kitchen we’d have to go back to practice,” Harden said.

Harden switched to the flute in fifth grade, and now plays piccolo.

“My mother was my accompanist on piano for all my auditions. My father isn’t a musician. We always joke the only thing he can play is the radio, bless his heart,” Harden said. “Florida is my home now. But I grew up in South Georgia where my grandparents were church musicians,” she said.

A 27-year veteran band director, Harden has led Homestead’s Keys Gate Charter School band program for eight years. During that time the program has earned numerous superior and excellent ratings at district, collegiate and state levels for ensemble and solo performances.

The Band Director’s Marching Band in the Pasadena Rose Parade was part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, which honors the dedication and impact of music educators.

The theme: “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.”

“I was honored to be selected to represent our state, our community and Keys Gate Charter School among the fine educators of the Band Directors Marching Band for the 2026 Rose Parade,” Harden said. “This intense experience showed all of our band students that their directors appreciate the power of ensemble work, from both sides of the baton. This was an exciting opportunity to represent Keys Gate Band students on a national stage and inspire them to be lifelong musicians.

“Band is the most beautiful collaboration of diversity that expresses human stories and feelings which go beyond words. It’s an opportunity for students to come together with a great variety of sounds, ranges, rhythms and styles for a greater, common purpose. Music in the band room doesn’t just educate, it can elevate,” she said. “I’m humbled to pass on this great legacy given to me by great musicians and band directors before me — my family, my church, high school and college directors including my amazing mom.

“All of them poured passion and skill into me, which I try to pour back into my students in the Keys Gate band room each day, so that the beat goes on and on.”

TROPICAL AUDUBON HOSTS BIRD DAY

Get ready to check out everything “bird” at Tropical Audubon Society’s free annual event, now in its 12th year at the wooded Steinberg Nature Center on Sunset Drive. The nature festival is designed for families with young children, students of every age, scouts, birders and naturalists.

Chaired by TAS Education Director Daniel “DJ” Mlodozeniec, Bird Day celebrates the annual northbound flight of nearly 350 species of migratory birds stopping in South Florida on their return to North America from the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Mexico.

People who attend can “meet” wildlife rehabilitated by Pelican Harbor Seabird Station and Wildlife Rescue, hone their binocular skills, try their hand at nature journaling, and sing like our feathered friends.

The event also features interactive activities like owl pellet dissection, bird-themed games, and prizes. Kids who complete the eight “passport activity stations” will receive a limited-edition T-shirt, while supplies last.

And to help scientists track our winter avian visitors, attendees can also learn how to participate in the Feb. 13-16 “Great Backyard Bird Count,” a global community science initiative. Bird Day is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at 5530 Sunset Dr. Details at https://tropicalaudubon.org

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.

This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 10:25 AM.