Biography

Command Sergeant Major Marlisa del Cid Woods was appointed the sixth Command Sergeant Major of The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" in May 2024.

Woods began studying the violin at age four through the Suzuki method. Born in Honduras, she was raised in the DC Area and continued her musical training during high school through the National Symphony Youth Fellowship Program. She joined "Pershing’s Own" in 2000 upon completion of her master’s and bachelor’s degrees with academic honors from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Prior to her appointment as CSM, Woods was the Group Leader of The U.S. Army Strings and the NCOIC of The U.S. Army Orchestra, leading performances for National and International heads of state and our nation’s top military leadership. She performs bluegrass, folk, and country fiddle in a specialty group within The U.S. Army Band called Country Roads, which has delighted audiences of over 4 million in live performances and on YouTube. Woods has performed with some of the world’s finest ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, has appeared as concertmaster and soloist with the Alexandria Symphony, and has been a frequent soloist with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra. On baroque violin, Woods has performed with the National Cathedral Orchestra, The Thirteen, Bach Sinfonia, Apollo’s Fire, Opera Lafayette, Harmonious Blacksmith, and has performed as soloist and concertmaster with Washington Bach Consort. Woods can be heard on the Electra, Lyrichord, and Dorian labels and is a favorite featured soloist on The U.S. Army Band’s YouTube channel.

In late 2021, upon pinning on the rank of SGM, Woods became NCOIC of the band's successful Leader Professional Development program. Her military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with four bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with one silver and two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and the National Defense Service Medal. In 2008, she earned the German Schützenschnur (Marksmanship) badge.

Woods lives in Fairfax, VA, with her husband, Sergeant Major Dean Woods. They have two children, Annalisa and David, who are both out of state attending college.