COL Scott McKenzie is the 13th Leader and Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” His father served in the U.S. Navy, so he has hometowns in Washington, Texas, California, and Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Virginia Tech and a Master of Music in Composition from George Mason University and has also studied at Old Dominion University and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. He is an accomplished and award-winning composer with over 80 original works to his credit.

Before he joined the Army, McKenzie taught band, chorus, and general music for four years. He enlisted in the Army in 1999 as a saxophone player and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division Band, where he served as NCOIC of the library and staff arranger. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Officer Candidate School in 2002.

McKenzie previously commanded the U.S Army Europe and Africa Band & Chorus and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band, where he oversaw its relocation from Fort Monroe to Fort Eustis, Virginia, and earned the Superior Unit Award. He also commanded the 25th Infantry Division Band at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He has served as Executive Officer of the U.S. Army Element School of Music Student Company and The U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus, and as an Associate Conductor of The U.S. Army Field Band and The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He also served as the Department of the Army Staff Bands Officer, where he advised the Chief of Public Affairs on Army Bands policy and efficient and effective use of the entire Army Bands program.

McKenzie’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and the German Parachutist and Armed Forces Proficiency Badges.

He is married to wife Anne, and together they have three children, Jimmy, Colleen, and Allison.

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.

Major Aaron Morris serves as the Deputy Commander of The U.S. Army Band, as well as the Associate Conductor and Officer in Charge of the Ceremonial Band and the Herald Trumpets. A native of Finksburg, Maryland, he holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Maryland, a Master of Music Education from Old Dominion University, and a Master of Operational Studies from the Command and General Staff College. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. His previous teachers and mentors include Dale Underwood, Dennis Zeisler, and Dr. Nancy Klein.

Major Morris began his military career in 2005 as a saxophonist with the 257th Army National Guard Band in Washington, D.C. In 2007, he joined the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band at Fort Monroe, Virginia. While assigned to the TRADOC Band, he was the first awardee of the Army Bands Soldier of the Year Award.

Major Morris received his commission in 2009 from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was then assigned to the Army School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia, where he served as Executive Officer. He later served at the Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), G-1 as the Staff Bands Officer, at the FORSCOM Headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In this position, he was responsible for the evaluation and support of all aspects pertaining to the 76 FORSCOM Army Music Units. Major Morris then served as the Executive Officer of the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Band and Chorus. During his tenure with the USAREUR Band and Chorus, the unit performed in over 25 countries for over 250 million people. Some highlights of his time with the unit include organizing and leading the NATO Saxophone Ensemble at the 2015 World Saxophone Congress, performing at the 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and leading the Soldiers' Chorus in performances in Kyiv, Ukraine. Major Morris was then in command of the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) Band at Fort Benning, Georgia. During his time there, the MCoE Band was utilized as the main community engagement tool for the command and made frequent radio and TV appearances, including performing on Fox NFL Sunday.

Major Morris’ military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (five Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Overseas Service Ribbon. Major Morris also holds an Additional Skill Identifier as an Information Operations Planner.

Captain Bonnie Alger is the Executive Officer of The United States Army Band, as well as Officer in Charge of The U.S. Army Strings, The U.S. Army Band Support Element, and the Band’s Operations and Training teams. A native of New Milford, Connecticut, she holds a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the University of Maryland - College Park, a master’s degree in music education from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Northern Iowa, and a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University.

From 2022-26, CPT Alger was Officer in Charge of The U.S. Army Chorus, the first female director in the ensemble’s history. Alger led the Army Chorus in performances for two U.S. presidents, multiple heads of state, and senior military leaders at The White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and the State Department. She prepared them for performances at the 2025 Governors’ Ball, PBS’s A Capitol Fourth, NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit, and the Army’s 250th Birthday. She also led the Chorus in performances and educational outreach programs across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, and the DC metro area. In addition to her work with the Army Chorus, CPT Alger has led multiple world premieres with The U.S. Army Concert Band, and numerous ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery with The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band. She also led The U.S. Army Strings in their 75th Anniversary performances in DC, and The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets in the Army Band’s 2023 American Holiday Festival.

She previously served as Associate Bandmaster at The United States Army Band at Fort Myer, Virginia, and as Executive Officer for the 1st Cavalry Division Band at Fort Hood, Texas. She has also conducted The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band.

Prior to joining the Army, Alger maintained an active schedule as a freelance conductor, singer, violinist, clinician, educator, and arts administrator throughout the DC metro area, the Midwest, and Los Angeles. She spent two years as the Director of Choral Activities at GEMS American Academy (GAA) in Abu Dhabi, where her students represented GAA at an international honor choir festival in Stavanger, Norway, and collaborated with Philadelphia-based Orchestra 2001 and the late legendary recording artist Quincy Jones. She has conducted the International Pride Orchestra as part of World Pride 2025, worked as both a cover conductor and music librarian for the National Symphony Orchestra, adjudicated for the Association of Music in International Schools, and served as a clinician for universities and high schools across the United States. She has also presented at conferences for the College Band Directors’ National Association and the American Choral Directors’ Association.

First Lieutenant Bernardo Miethe assumed duties as Associate Conductor with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in July 2025. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Executive Officer of the Training and Doctrine Command Band from July 2023 to June 2025. Prior to earning his commission, Miethe enlisted in the Army in 2020 and served as a flute player and Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus. A native of Valencia, Venezuela, Miethe moved to the United States in 2006 to attend college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi under Dr. Danilo Mezzadri, and a master’s degree in Band Conducting from the same institution under Dr. Thomas Fraschillo. He also earned a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting with a minor in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University, studying with Carlos Riazuelo and Dr. John Dickson, respectively.

Miethe’s military education includes: Air Assault, Combat Lifesaver, CBRN Defense, Officer Candidate School, Basic Officer Leader Course, Basic Leader’s Course (Commandant’s List), Advance Individual Training (Commandant’s List), and Basic Skills Education Program. In the future, he hopes to attend Airborne, Pathfinder, and Sapper Schools and earn the Expert Soldier Badge.

His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (five oak leaf clusters), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The U.S. Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Luxembourg International March of Diekirch Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Air Assault Badge, the Bronze Norwegian Ruck March Badge, and the Gold German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

First Lieutenant Michael Hong hails from La Mirada, California, and assumed duties as Associate Conductor with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in November 2025. Prior to joining the Army, Lieutenant Hong began his military career in 2017 with the United States Marine Corps, where he served for five years as a clarinetist with Marine Band San Diego. He holds a Master of Music degree from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Azusa Pacific University. His conducting studies were under Dr. Shannon Kitelinger, Alex Panos, and Robert Marroquín.
Lieutenant Hong received his commission in July 2022 from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was subsequently assigned to the U.S. Army School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia, where he served as Executive Officer. Notable highlights of his tenure include organizing a joint collaboration between the school and Norway’s His Majesty's Kings Guard, coordinating several Norwegian Foot Marches attended by hundreds of international and interservice participants, and performing at the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade.
His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with three Gold Stars), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Silver Norwegian Ruck March Badge, and the Basic Army Instructor Badge.
Lieutenant Hong currently resides in the area with his wife and their adorable daughter.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Becker hails from Folsom, California, and joined the Army in 2004 after studying German and chemistry at California State University Long Beach. He serves as Associate Conductor of the Army Blues and the Army Band Downrange, two of the Band's popular-music ensembles. He was first assigned to the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team on Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he soon deployed to Iraq for 16 months as a civil affairs representative. Upon returning to Alaska, he joined the 9th Army Band for on-the-job training as a flutist, having played since the age of seven. In 2009 he completed Advanced Individual Training at Little Creek Joint Expeditionary Base in Norfolk, VA to begin his career as an Army Musician. He then served as an Army Musician at the 2nd Infantry Division Band on Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, South Korea, the US Army Europe Band and Chorus in the cities of Heidelberg and Kaiserslautern, Germany, and the 323rd Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own” at Fort Sam Houston, TX.
 
In 2017 at the rank of Sergeant First Class, he was selected as the only active-duty Warrant Officer Bandmaster chosen Army-wide in three years. He first commanded the 399th Army Band for 33 months at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he was named Training and Doctrine Command’s Adjutant General Regimental Warrant Officer of the Year in 2020. He then commanded the 4th Infantry Division Band on Fort Carson, Colorado for 33 months before joining The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” on Fort Myer, VA.
 
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (6th award), Army Achievement Medal (5th award), the Iraqi Campaign Medal (two campaigns) and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).
 
Chief Becker has been a musician for close to 40 years and holds a B.A. in German with a minor in chemistry from California State University Long Beach.