support element leader

SGM Steve Holder

Lorton, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2012

Alum: Central Texas College

MSG Steve Holder entered the United States Army as a trumpet player on March 27, 1997. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he attended the U.S. Army School of Music at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk, Virginia. His first assignment was with the 25th ID (L) Tropic Lightning Band at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Other assignments include the 282nd Army Band, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; the 4th Infantry Division IRONHORSE Band, with whom he deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Drill Band Instructor and Army Band NCO Academy Cadre at the U.S. Army School of Music (2004-2006); Chief: Information Management Branch, and Chief: Soldier & Family Support Division at the 98th Army Band, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Chief: Soldier & Family Support Division, Chief: Operations, Plans, and Training Division, and MPT Leader and Platoon Sergeant at the 36th Army Band at Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Human Resources Section NCOIC for the 389th Army Band at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Since 2012, Holder has been part of the Human Resources Section of The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own.” His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course; Total Army Instructor Training Course; Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, where he exceeded course standards and was named the Distinguished Honor Graduate of BNCOC Class 05-001; Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course; and the Company Commander/First Sergeant Course. He holds an Associate in Applied Science - Computer Information Technology degree from Central Texas College. Holder has two children, Nathan and Kaylea.

operations

SGM Emily Ross

Eugene, OR

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2001

Alum: The Eastman School of Music / Baylor University

SGM Emily Ross, a native of Oregon, has been a member of “Pershing’s Own” since 2001. Ross earned a Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude, in Clarinet Performance, from The Eastman School of Music. Graduating in 1999, she also received a Performer’s Certificate. Ross continued her studies at Baylor University, graduating in 2001 with a Master of Music degree.

operations

MSG Nicholas Hodges

Mechanicsburg, PA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2013

Alum: Eastman School of Music / Penn State / University of Maryland

MSG Nicholas Hodges joined The U.S. Army Strings in 2013. He earned his bachelor's degree in performance and education from the Eastman School of Music, a master's degree in performance and orchestral conducting from Penn State, and a DMA from the University of Maryland. MSG Hodges has performed with many ensembles including the National Philharmonic, Concert Artists of Baltimore, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the Adelphi String Quartet, and the Williamsport Symphony. He has served on the faculty of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

operations

SFC Kaci Lewandowski

Elgin, TX

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2024

Alum: The Juilliard School / Southern New Hampshire University

Sergeant First Class Kaci Lewandowski joined The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in 2024. She is a Texas native and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School and a master’s in communication with a concentration in public relations from Southern New Hampshire University. She began her military career in 2018 as a French Horn player at The U.S. Army Field Band performing in both the concert band and woodwind quintet on national concert tours.  She acted as the band’s public relations spokesperson, representing the group in various media engagements across the United States and internationally. Her French Horn instructors include Eric Reed, David Cross, Patrick Hughes, and Julie Landsman.

transportation

Jamillah Fuller

Griffin, GA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2006

Alum:

Mr. Jamillah Fuller is the Transportation Supervisor for The United States Army Band. A native of Griffin, Georgia, Mr. Fuller joined the U.S. Army in 1996 as a transportation specialist. He served a one-year deployment in Pussan, Korea before being assigned to the 101st Company “Screaming Eagles” at Ft. Campbell, KY and then joined The 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard” in 2000. Mr. Fuller later served as the personal driver for the Military District of Washington Command Sergeant Major and the Director of the Defense Acquisition University. Upon separation from active duty, Mr. Fuller joined The U.S. Army Band in 2006 and became the Transportation Supervisor in 2007. Jay is currently working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has 4 children, Tony, London, Jameelah and Jay.

transportation

Michael Anderson

Cleveland, OH

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2021

Alum:

transportation

Charlette Wilson

Berlin, MD

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2022

Alum:

information technology

SFC Zhao Liu

Beijing, China,

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2012

Alum: New England Conservatory of Music / Yale University

SFC Zhao Liu was born and raised in Beijing, China. He received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, and a Master of Music Degree from the Yale University School of Music, New Haven, CT. Liu joined The United States Army Band in 2012 as an Information Management Officer.

public affairs

SGM Chris Branagan

San Antonio, TX

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2003

Alum: Texas Tech University / Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

SGM Chris Branagan enjoys a diverse career as a trombonist, conductor, and committed educator. Prior to moving to Washington, DC, he held concurrent teaching positions at the University of Texas – San Antonio and Texas Lutheran University, and performed throughout the U.S. and abroad with groups like the San Antonio Symphony, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Austin Lyric and Baltimore Opera Companies, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and the National Philharmonic. He made his Kennedy Center debut in 2004, and has since performed on numerous occasions with Washington National Opera, including the 2007 production of Wagner’s Die Walkure. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Music degree from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (on a scholarship award from Her Majesty the Queen Mother). He was a prize winning soloist in competitions of the International Trombone Association (1997) and the IWBC (2001). While a student at the RSAMD, he won every solo and chamber music prize available to brass musicians.

public affairs

SSG Brittany Primavera

Dallas, TX

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2019

Alum: University of North Texas / University of North Texas

Staff Sgt. Brittany Primavera serves as Social Media Manager and Unit Photographer for The U.S. Army Band. Previously, she served in The U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps, where she performed at The White House, Parliament Hill, and community events like The 2018 National Muster, Chester 150th Anniversary Muster, Florida Flute Convention, Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, and Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Convention. She has taught flute and public affairs classes for The Fife and Drum Corps Juniors Workshop, the Army School of Music, and the Army Music Mentorship Program. Prior to joining the Army, SSG Primavera taught at Lubbock Christian University (Texas) and performed third flute/piccolo with Southwest Symphony (New Mexico). She is principal flutist of the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra and serves on the Board of Directors for Maple Avenue Fine Arts Academy. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas, a certificate from the Janáčkova akademie múzických umění (Czech Republic), and a diploma from the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice (France). Her primary teacher was Mary Karen Clardy.

public affairs

SSG Rachel Minto

Pittsburgh, PA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2020

Alum: Youngstown State University / Arizona State University

SSG Rachel Minto, a Pittsburgh, PA native, joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2020. Prior to her service with "Pershing's Own," Staff Sgt. Minto was a Fife Instrumentalist in The U.S. Army "Old Guard" Fife and Drum Corps, one of the Army's premiere musical ensembles. With the Fife and Drum Corps, she performed across the nation, from elementary school gyms to the Pentagon. Minto earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Youngstown State University and a Master of Music in flute performance from Arizona State University.

public affairs

Jennifer Maly

Springfield, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2006

Alum: The College of William and Mary in Virginia

Jennifer Maly is the director of marketing and public affairs for The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The College of William and Mary in Virginia, and has lived in Northern Virginia for most of her life. Prior to working for The U.S. Army Band, Ms. Maly held communications and marketing positions in several non-profit organizations and trade associations in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, to include The Air Transport Association, The Faxfair Corporation, The Special Libraries Association, and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. She has done executive recruiting, handled media relations for major corporate entities, worked as publicity manager for Time-Life Trade Publications, and was a production manager, desktop publisher, and editor in the Aviation Newsletter division at McGraw Hill. She and her husband, a bass vocalist in The U.S. Army Chorus, live in Arlington, VA.

video production

SFC Clark Mcdaniel

Flower Mound, TX

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2015

Alum: University of North Texas

SFC Clark McDaniel is the Video Section Leader for The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." In 2006, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of North Texas where he majored in Radio, Television, and Film Studies. Interestingly, The U.S. Army Band hired McDaniel while he was still serving as a bass guitarist with Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to joining the military, McDaniel worked with various production companies and government cable channels in the North Texas area, and he recently earned a Master of Science in Information Security from Champlain College. He and his beautiful wife, Sesalle, have two children, Amelia and Elliot.

video production

SFC Todd Gerlach

Branson, MO

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2020

Alum: College of the Ozarks

SFC Todd Gerlach grew up in Branson, MO, where he learned to love fly fishing. In 2003, upon finishing high school, Gerlach enlisted in the Missouri National Guard Band as a trombonist. After three years at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, he completed the audio engineering program at the Chilicothe (OH) Recording Workshop and then transferred to College of the Ozarks back home in Branson to complete his BA in music production. Todd was soon hired as an audio engineer on the Showboat Branson Belle. After eight years in the National Guard, he decided to transfer to active duty service as a guitarist. At his first duty assignment with the 3rd Infantry Division (Fort Stewart, GA), Gerlach was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Other assignments include 25th ID in Hawaii, and 8th Army in South Korea. While there, Todd pursued his hobby as a photographer and videographer which eventually grew into a side business. Todd became known for producing high-quality videos for his unit in S. Korea. In 2020, Todd was awarded the position of media content creator for the "Pershing's Own" public affairs office. He loves all outdoor activities, especially playing ball with his German Shepherd.

video production

SSG Seara Marcsis

Franklin, WI

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2020

Alum: Southern New Hampshire University

SSG Seara Marcsis is a Videographer for The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” Her career began in 2015 when she enlisted into the Army as a Visual Equipment Operator/Maintainer. While stationed at 55th Signal Company, she cross-trained as a Combat Photographer and discovered her love for creating art through her camera. From there, she was nominated and selected by Army television at the Pentagon to create video products for live events in the National Capitol Region. While stationed at the Pentagon, she applied to the Army band and earned her spot with the TUSAB family as a videographer.

production team

SGM Thomas Dell'Omo

Ft. Washington, MD

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2001

Alum: University of North Texas / University of North Texas

SGM Thomas Dell’Omo holds a bachelor's degree in music education and Master of Music degree in performance and composition from the University of North Texas. He is fortunate to have studied with Frank Forgione, Jim Hall, Christopher Deane, Paul Rennick, Mark Ford, and Ed Soph. From 1994-1996, Dell'Omo was a snare drummer in the University of North Texas Drumline, winning two PASIC championships during his tenure. He served as Battery Technician for The East Coast Jazz Drum and Bugle Corps in 1998, helping the Corps earn the Division II World Championship title leading to his appointment as Caption Head of Percussion with the corps in 1999. As a proponent of New Music, Dell’Omo has premiered solo and chamber music literature at various New Music and Electro-acoustic festivals throughout the United States. His contemporary music recording credits include the premiere recording of “Other Terrains” by Jon Christopher Nelson (SEAMUS CD Series volume 9) and “Concerto for Saxophone, Chamber Orchestra and Computer” by William Kleinsasser found on his CD entitled Equipoise. Prior to his appointment with TUSAB, he was the Director of Percussion at The University of Montana and is currently a freelance musician in the Washington D.C. area.

technical support

MSG Jon Seipp

Arlington, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2010

Alum: James Madison University

MSG Jon Seipp began his career with The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in June of 2010 after completion of Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, GA. Prior to enlistment in The U.S. Army, Seipp earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in business management with a minor in music industry from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. He has worked and performed as a live sound and recording engineer in prominent venues throughout the United States including Carnegie Hall in New York, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Sylvan Theater, and Constitution Hall, in Washington D.C.

technical support

SFC Brian Knox

Woodbridge, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2012

Alum: Shenandoah University

SFC Brian Knox began his career with The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in August of 2012 after completion of Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Prior to enlistment in the United States Army, Knox earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Production and Recording Technology from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. He has worked and performed as an audio engineer and musician in prominent venues throughout the United States, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Sylvan Theater, the Library of Congress, and Constitution Hall in Washington D.C.

technical support

SFC A.J. Maynard

Columbus, OH

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2017

Alum: Berklee College of Music

A native of Columbus, OH, SSG A.J. Maynard joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2017 as an Audio Engineer. He began his Army service in 2004, joining the Army Reserves as a guitarist, and eventually deploying with the 1st Infantry Division Band as a guitarist to Iraq in 2016-2017 during Operation Inherent Resolve. His professional audio career developed in New York City and Nashville as a broadcast and live music recording engineer. His work is featured on live recordings from giants Billy Joel, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, Ricky Martin, Willie Nelson, Korn, and many others. Maynard has been a part of several major live TV music broadcasts that include the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, VH1’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the NYC New Year's Eve Times Square broadcast. He holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in music production from Berklee College of Music.

technical support

SFC Matthias Bleicken

Center Conway, NH

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2012

Alum:

technical support

SFC Cheryl Pirard

Los Lunas, NM

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2023

Alum: University of New Mexico

Born and raised in New Mexico, SFC Cheryl Pirard developed her love for music at a young age; listening to endless rock music with her father and musicals with her mother. She started with singing in her younger years and joined the concert band world in 5th grade on baritone, eventually moving on to Euphonium in middle school and high school. From there she attended the University of New Mexico to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music with an emphasis in Euphonium. Her studies lead her to several outlets to include years of marching band, concert band, tuba/euphonium ensembles, becoming acquainted with stage production, and basics in audio engineering. These avenues then lead to her musical career in the New Mexico National Guard from 2012-2023. It was here she developed skills playing electric bass, video production, stage production, and audio engineering to ensure mission success for the military. Outside Pirard's love for music, she loves recreational activities such as hiking, camping, ultimate frisbee, and snowboarding. She uniquely has a huge passion for hot air ballooning and is currently working on her pilot’s license. Pirard loves nothing more than to support the people around her and is a friend to all!

technical support

SFC Alexander Righter

Baltimore, MD

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2017

Alum: James Madison University

SFC Alex Righter joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershings Own" in 2017 as a member of the Support Staff with a specialty in Audio Engineering. Righter earned a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University in 2010 where he majored in Music Industry with a concentration in Tuba. Prior to joining TUSAB, he worked at Clean Cuts and Cerebral Lounge post production studio in Washington, D.C., for seven years as a Sound Designer/Mixer. He worked on audio content for television, radio, web, podcasts, audiobooks, and video games. Some notable projects include marketing content for Discovery Communications, National Geographic, and Scripps Networks; designing and implementing audio for mobile, PC and Oculus video games; and mixing spatial audio for Virtual Reality 360 degree videos. After attending JMU, Righter also was an active freelance live sound and recording engineer, acoustic consultant, and musician specializing in Tuba. He currently lives with his wife Amber and three dogs, Diego, Neva, and Waldo.

technical support

SSG Alan Schmiedl

,

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2024

Alum:

technical support

SSG Eric Messick

Midland, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2018

Alum: Alderson-Broaddus University

SSG Eric Messick joined "Pershing’s Own" in 2017 as an Audio Engineer for the Technical Support Group. Hailing from Midland, VA, he grew up on a family-owned Dairy Farm where he milked cows, raked hay, and more until he got his first guitar. Afterwards, he focused on music and audio engineering which has led him to pursue music professionally. He holds a bachelors in music with a focus in classical guitar among several professional certifications in music and engineering. Beyond these, he has performed as a vocalist in a touring A Capella group, been a featured composer at NYU Steinheardt, and even opening for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist. As a freelance audio engineer, he has built and staffed recording studios, certified Guinness World Records, recorded and mixed audio for nationally syndicated broadcasts as well as multi-platinum artists, and owns a production company. Beyond his profession, Messick casually enjoys reading, skydiving, playing music, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.

technical support

SSG Ramaher Ortiz-López

Sabana Grande, PR

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2021

Alum: Inter-American University of San Germán, PR / Inter-American University of San Germán, PR

SSG Ramaher Ortiz-López a native of Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, joined The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in December 2021 as a member of the support staff. He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in trumpet and music education from the Inter-American University of San Germán, Puerto Rico. Prior to joining the Army, he worked in a Specialized School of Music and Fine Arts for the Department of Education of Puerto Rico, where he taught music theory, music technology, and band conducting. During that time, Ortiz was also in charge of the school’s theater productions serving as a sound and lighting technician. Ortiz began his sound career as a sound technician in Puerto Rico, providing live sound to many Latin music groups, festivals, privates and public festivities, and theater productions around the island for about 15 years. Ortiz joined the Army in June 2018 as a 9X (music support technician). He was assigned to the 282d Army Band in Fort Jackson, SC, from 2018 to 2021, for which he provided sound and lighting support for the band. He currently lives in Southern Maryland with his wife and children.

technical support

SSG Aubrey Granner

Evanston, IL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2021

Alum: Northern Illinois University / University of Minnesota

SSG Granner studied percussion performance and world music at Northern Illinois University (BM 2005) and University of Minnesota (MM 2007). Afterword, he taught high school percussion and athletic bands in his hometown of Evanston, IL. In 2013, he enlisted as a percussionist and soon began to provide technical sound support in addition to performing. He served at I CORPS Band, Fort Lewis, WA, Training and Doctrine Command Band, Fort Eustis, VA, and 82nd Airborne Division All-American Band, Fort Bragg, NC. Most recently, SSG Granner served as a Music Support Technician Instructor at The US Army School of Music, Little Creek, VA. In 2021, SSG Granner joined the US Army Band Technical Support Group. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.

technical support

SSG Thomas Tyra

,

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2024

Alum:

arranger

SFC Sara Corry

Capistrano Beach, CA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2016

Alum: Southern Methodist University / University of Texas at Austin / University of Colorado at Boulder

SFC Sara Corry is an aspiring Lois Lane, composer, arranger and part-time harpist, that spends her days getting lost in the right direction. She has a fearless thirst for crunchy non-functional harmony and a love for mixing all of the things that should remain separate. Her works have been featured internationally, on television, at the White House, and have honored presidents, prime ministers, senators, and royalty. She was dubbed a master at the University of Texas at Austin. She learned how to doctor music at the University of Colorado at Boulder, whilst running muddy trails, teaching electronic music, harp and scuba diving. She spends her summers guiding & learning from students at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She travels frequently inter/nationally attending premieres and giving lectures, however, and despite her title, while in transport she maintains, with the utmost zeal, that she cannot aid in a medical emergency. In general, she plays well with others, occasionally receives awards, and does her best to not run with scissors. Her alter ego spends her daylight hours writing and arranging music for The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” In the evenings, she remains at large in the shadows of the Washington D.C. area.

arranger

SSG Andrew Kosinski

Wall, NJ

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2022

Alum: Rutgers University / Peabody Conservatory

SSG Andrew Kosinski is proud to serve as staff arranger for The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." His works have been described as "a stunning exercise in visual theater" (Laurie Shulman) and have been praised for their "virtuosic, turbid musical language" (Theater Jones), and "efficient and effective use of time" (William Bolcom). Prior to joining the Army, he received commissions, performances, and recordings from artists across Europe, Asia, and the United States such as Voices of Change, Patagonia Winds, Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, violin soloist Tim Fain, and Philadelphia Orchestra piccoloist Erica Peel. Kosinski's music has been broadcast on 103.3 WPRB Princeton "Classical Discoveries." Additionally, Kosinski was a finalist in the 2021 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, and winner of the 2019 Voices of Change Composition Competition. He currently serves as Conducting Fellow with the Montgomery Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2023-2025 seasons. Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Kosinski earned a BM in Performance and Composition from Rutgers University and an MM in Composition and Music Theory Pedagogy from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. His principal mentors include Kevin Puts, Robert Aldridge, Scott Ordway, and Amanda Harberg.

arranger

SSG Alex Tedrow

Shoals, IN

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2023

Alum: Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

SSG Alex Tedrow proudly joined The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in 2023. As an active composer, arranger, educator, and clinician, he strives to connect performers and audiences of all ages with fresh, fun, and innovative music and technology. Offering a “vivacious and colorful” stylistic voice described as a “topography of beautifully integrated, deliberate sounds” (Eric Smedley, IU Symphonic Band), he regularly writes music for concerts, films, video games, and electronics. His works have been played internationally by musicians in both professional and educational settings – including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Wet Ink Ensemble, the Indiana University New Music Ensemble, pianist Jihye Chang, harpist Ben Melsky, and multiple middle school, high school, and college ensembles across the country. Tedrow is the co-founder of Composing for a Cause – a not-for-profit program in which professional musicians travel to hospitals for children to host songwriting and creativity workshops. In 2019, he premiered Planet Playground at IRCAM in Paris, France – an interactive, data-driven electronic music work incorporating crowd participation via cell phones. More recently, he has scored music for multiple award-winning PBS documentaries including The Addict's Wake and Over There: Hoosier Heroes of the Great War. Tedrow has been recognized with honors including the ASCAP Morton Gould Award, the SEAMUS Allen Strange Award, and "Emerging Artist" in the Tribeca Young Composer Competition. He holds B.M. and M.M. degrees in Composition and an M.S. in Music Education from Indiana University, where he held positions as Associate Instructor of Music Education and Composition Department Coordinator. During summers, he has worked as a Music Theory Instructor at the Brevard Music Center. He is an avid traveler, hiker, foodie, and animal lover — all themes that inspire his work.

library

MSG Rogelio Garza

Corpus Christi, TX

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2010

Alum: Texas A&M University Kingsville / Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University

Originally from South Texas, MSG Garza earned his undergraduate degrees in biology as well as music, studying clarinet and bassoon with Dr. Nancy King Sanders at Texas A&M University Kingsville. He then moved to Maryland to study with Edward Palanker of the Baltimore Symphony at The Peabody Conservatory where he earned a graduate degree in clarinet performance.Garza joined the Army in 2006 when he began service with the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Band at Fort Monroe, Virginia, where he served as principal clarinetist, Eb clarinetist, and performed in the woodwind quintet for several years before winning an audition for The United States Army Band in 2009. He has been a member of The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band since 2010 and is an active chamber and theater musician in the Washington, D.C. area.

library

SFC Christina Wensel

Chicago, IL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2009

Alum: Oberlin Conservatory / The Juilliard School

SFC Christina Wensel joined the The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2008. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory where she studied with Gregory Fulkerson. She earned her master's degree from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Ronald Copes. Wensel has performed at many concerts and festivals including the UBS Verbier Festival, the MoMA Summer Garden Series, the New York String Seminar, and the New Hampshire Bach Festival. She has been a featured soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic, The U.S. Army Strings, the Galesburg Symphony, and the Midwest Young Artists. As a member of the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra, she toured Europe and North and South America with Maestro James Levine. Wensel has also performed with Kanye West, Duncan Sheik, and Euan Morton. Born in Evanston, Illinois, she is a much sought-after fiddler, playing for dances and workshops throughout the U.S. and Europe. Wensel now lives in Fairfax, VA, with her husband Ben and three children.

library

SSG Larissa Powers

Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil,

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2020

Alum: Valdosta State University / University of Georgia

A native of Brazil, SSG Larissa Powers joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2020. As a violist, she has performed with orchestras in the U.S., Brazil, and China. As a music librarian, Powers previously worked as part of the music library team at the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Center, The Orchestra of the Americas, and National Repertory Orchestra. Prior to joining The U.S. Army Band, Powers was the Head Librarian of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans, LA. Powers makes her home in the greater DC area with her husband and their two dogs.

human resources

SGM Anita London

Brooklyn, NY

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2016

Alum:

human resources

SFC Paige Canafax

Cleveland, OH

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2023

Alum: Cleveland State University

SFC Canafax enlisted into the United States Army Reserves in 2006 as a Clarinetist during her undergraduate studies at Cleveland State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2009. In 2017, she transitioned to Active Duty where she was stationed at Fort Moore, GA with the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band and at Fort Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Band. SFC Canafax enjoys spending time with her husband, 1LT Canafax and their three children.

resource management

SFC Elliot Mee

Williamsburg, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2019

Alum: Old Dominion University / Wake Forest University

SFC Mee is the Resource Management NCO for The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He attended Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was a four-time 1st-Team All-State tennis player and was selected as a member of The United States Army All-American Marching Band. SFC Mee was also selected as the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award winner for Virginia in 2010. After high school, Mee attended Wake Forest University for three years studying accounting and finance before enlisting in the Army. Mee marched as a member of the 2010 Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and the 2013 Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. SFC Mee enlisted in the Army in 2014 as a trumpet player. His previous assignments include the 1st Armored Division Band, Fort Bliss, Texas, and the 392nd Army Band, Fort Lee, Virginia. Mee graduated as the Distinguished Leadership Award recipient from the Fort Bliss NCO Academy, and has served as Information Management NCO, Operations NCO, and Bugler NCOIC at his previous assignments. SFC Mee earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Wake Forest University. SFC Mee’s greatest happiness comes from the love and support he receives from his wife, Lauren, and their two daughters, Riley and Avery.

resource management

SSG Colin Murray

Rockaway, NJ

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2024

Alum: The College of New Jersey / Montclair State University

SSG Murray is a Resource Management NCO for The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He has a Bachelors in Music Education from The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ and both an Master of Arts Degree and Artist Diploma from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. SSG Murray was a music educator in New Jersey for over 10 years before he auditioned for the Army Bands in 2016. He served as a tuba player at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, Fort Bliss, Texas, and Camp Zama, Japan. He has performed in multiple ensembles from brass quintet to New Orleans-style brass band and has served as a squad leader, public relations representative, and Operations Sergeant. His other accomplishments in the Army include completing both the Norwegian Ruck March and the Bataan Death March, performing as featured soloist with the 1st Armored Division Band, completing the Air Assault School at Fort Cavazos, TX, winning Soldier of the Year competitions at both the Battalion and Brigade levels while at Fort Bliss, TX, and earning the Expert Soldier Badge at the first ESB held in Japan.

resource management

SSG Anne Friend

Springfield, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2024

Alum: Virginia Tech / University of North Carolina School of the Arts

SSG Anne Friend is a Resource Management NCO for The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” Friend is from the Northern Virginia area. She attended Virginia Tech for an undergraduate degree in music education and flute performance and University of North Carolina School of the Arts for a Masters of Music. After graduating from UNCSA, SSG Friend was a Kenan Fellow at Lincoln Center Education in New York City. Following the fellowship, she worked in arts administration at the International School of Music in Bethesda, MD and the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA. Friend enlisted in the Army in June of 2019 as a flute player. She has previously been stationed at Fort Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Band and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story at the United States Army School of Music. She lives in Springfield, VA with her husband and daughter.

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MSG Brad Leja

Orlando, FL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2014

Alum: University of Central Florida

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SFC Kevin Taylor

Washington, DC

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2019

Alum: