Charlie’s Biography

About Charlie:

Charlie Brooks-Knepfle is a student at Clemson University working towards a B. A. in Performing Arts with a Concentration in Music. He lived in Cincinnati, Ohio until age ten and moved to Clemson, South Carolina in the summer of 2010. He has played saxophone since 6th grade at R. C. Edwards Middle School where he participated in Jazz, Competition, Symphonic and Pep Bands. After transitioning to D. W. Daniel High School he played in the Symphonic, Marching and Jazz ensembles for one, two and four years, respectively. In his school career Charlie made the All-County Honor Band five times, the All-Region Honor Band four times, the All-County Jazz Band three times and the All-State Jazz Band once. He received the Louis Armstrong Award for Excellence in Jazz as a senior at Daniel alongside academic honor roll and Palmetto Fellows honors. Charlie has played jazz music since 8th grade but serious study of the craft started the summer before his 10th grade year. Jazz is where his passion lies, but he also enjoys all things Disney, frequenting Disney World with his family since his early childhood.

At Clemson, Charlie has played in the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic, Marching, Concert, and Pep Bands, Saxophone Choir and Saxophone Quartet, and in the Jazz Combos, and sung in Clemson University Singers. He is the recipient of the 2019 Scott Hendrickson Memorial Jazz Award and the 2020 Mu Beta Psi Band Award for excellence in and dedication to Clemson Bands. In summer of 2022 Charlie will be playing in the Disneyland All-American College Band in Anaheim, California on Lead Tenor, clarinet, and flute. He is also a section leader in Clemson’s Marching Band and part of the leadership team of the Kappa Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Clemson University. Finally, Charlie also teaches lessons to beginner and intermediate students in both saxophone and music theory. After his undergrad Charlie will obtain a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and continue to perform professionally.