Flute and Piccolo

Sergeant First Class Sarah Eckman McIver

SFC Sarah Eckman McIver is currently pursuing a D.M.A. at the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned a M.M. at Royal Northern College of Music in Great Britain and a B.M. at McGill University. She has studied with Timothy Hutchins, Peter Lloyd, and Dr. William Montgomery.

Staff Sergeant Katayoon Hodjati

SSG Hodjati is pursuing a D.M.A. at Arizona State University, and has earned a M.M. at Arizona State University, and a B.M. and B.A. in Spanish at Oberlin College. She has performed with the Musica Nova Symphony, the Mesa Symphony, and the Phoenix Symphony. SSG Hodjati is flutist in The U.S. Army Field Band Woodwind Quintet.

Staff Staff Sergeant Kasumi Leonard

SSG Leonard holds a Bachelors Degree from The Eastman School of Music. During her time at Eastman she served as substitute flutist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She studied with Bonita Boyd.

Oboe

Sergeant First Class Daniel Brimhall

SFC Brimhall earned a M.M. at Yale University, and a B.M. at the University of Hartford. He has studied with Richard Kilmer and Humbert Lucarelli.

Staff Sergeant Leah Forsyth

SSG Leah Forsyth received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music from The Florida State University. Her primary teachers include Mark Ostoich and Eric Ohlsson. She has served as the English horn player for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Tallahassee and the Columbus Symphony Orchestras. She currently serves as oboist for the Woodwind Ambassadors Quintet.

Staff Sergeant Erika Grimm

SSG Erika Grimm holds a Bachelors Degree from Florida State University and attended graduate school at Indiana University.

English Horn

Staff Sergeant Leah Kadlac Forsyth

SSG Leah Kadlac Forsyth received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music from The Florida State University. Her primary teachers include Mark Ostoich and Eric Ohlsson. She has served as the English horn player for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Tallahassee and the Columbus Symphony Orchestras. She currently serves as oboist for the Woodwind Ambassadors Quintet.

Bassoon

Master Sergeant Daniel Bowlds***

MSG Bowlds is bassoonist with the Pentagon Winds quintet, college clinician, and soloist with the Concert Band. He is a chamber musician and freelance bassoonist in the Washington D.C. area. MSG Bowlds earned a M.M. at Kent State University and a B.M. at Missouri Western State College.

Staff Sergeant Thaddeus Macaulay Crutcher Jr.

SSG Crutcher earned his Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance from The Eastman School of Music. While there, he soloed with the Eastman Symphony Orchestra and won the Eastman Chamber Music Competition. SSG Crutcher served with the US Army Ground Forces Band from 2004-2007. His teachers include John Hunt, David Vanhoesen, Dale Clark, and David Conn.

Staff Sergeant Patricia Dusold

Prior to joining The Musical Ambassadors of the Army, Staff Sergeant Dusold performed with the Chattanooga Symphony. She has appeared at music festivals across the country, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Pacific Music Festival, and Blossom Music Festival. She can be heard on the Atlanta Chamber Winds recording, "Music From Paris." SSG Dusold holds degrees from the Peabody Institute and Rice University, where she studied with Linda Harwell and Benjamin Kamins.

Clarinet

Master Sergeant Shari Smith **

MSG Smith earned a D.M.A. at Michigan State University, a M.M. at the University of Oklahoma, and a B.A. at Northeastern Oklahoma State University. MSG Smith has taught at Lansing Community College and performed with the Jackson Symphony and Lansing Symphony Orchestra. She is clarinetist and narrator with the Woodwind Ambassadors.

Sergeant First Class Jennifer B. Everhart

SFC Everhart has performed as a soloist with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Furman University, where she studied with Robert Chesebro, and a master’s degree at Indiana University, where she studied with Howard Klug. SFC Everhart has also taught as a private clarinet instructor.

Sergeant First Class Matthew Kanowith

SFC Kanowith is soloist with the Concert Band. He has been a participant of the Sarasota and Chautauqua Music Festivals. SFC Kanowith earned a M.M. at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and a B.M.E. at Indiana University.

Sergeant First Class Reis McCullough

SFC McCullough received a B.M. from the Eastman School of Music and a M.M. from the University of Michigan. SFC McCullough is a member of the Clarinet Quartet, and has studied with William Blayney, Kenneth Grant, and Fred Ormand.

Sergeant First Class Michael Sears

SSG Sears served as guest artist in Costa Rica for the Promising Artists of the 21st Century program. He is a clarinet clinician and co-principal with the Concert Band. SSG Sears earned a M.M. at Indiana University and a B.M.E. at the University of Georgia.

Staff Sergeant John C. Blair

SSG Blair performed with the Tidewater Winds Concert Band, the Penn's Woods Festival Orchestra, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. SSG Blair earned a B.M.E. at James Madison University and a M.M. at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Staff Sergeant Jeremy Klenke

SSG Jeremy Klenke is a native of Aurora, IL. Prior to joining the Field Band, SSG Klenke attended the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Ken Grant, Susan Warner, and John Bruce Yeh.

Staff Sergeant Matthew Sikes

SSG Sikes holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Georgia, where he studied with Dan Gilbert, Fred Ormand, and Ray McClellan. Prior to joining the Field Band, SSG Sikes was a substitute clarinetist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Eb-Clarinet

Staff Sergeant Brian Eldridge

SSG Eldridge has performed with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and Plymouth Symphony Orchestra.  He earned an M.M. at the University of Michigan and a B.M.E. at West Virginia University.

Bass Clarinet

Sergeant First Class Chad Martin

SFC Chad Martin calls Madison, South Dakota, home. He received a BA in Music Education from Augustana College and an MM in Wind Instruments from the University of Michigan. Prior to serving with the Field Band, he served with the US Army Europe Band in Heidelberg, Germany. SFC Martin has performed with the South Dakota Symphony, Adrian Symphony, and the Blaeserphilharmonie Heilbronn, and taught with the Michigan All-State Program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. His teachers include Beverly Gibson, Christopher Hill, and Deborah Chodacki.

Staff Sergeant Kevin Walko

SSG Kevin Walko holds degrees from Northwestern University and Duquesne University, where he studied with Steve Cohen, J. Lawrie Bloom, and Jack Howell.

Saxophone

Sergeant First Class Brian Sacawa

SFC Brian Sacawa holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Peabody Conservatory of Music, and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His teachers include Donald Sinta, Gary Louie, and Lynn Klock. SFC Sacawa has performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the Detroit and New World Symphonies, and at music festivals internationally. He has also recorded for the Equilibrium, Innova, and ES Record labels. Prior to joining the Field Band, SFC Sacawa taught at the University of Arizona. He currently serves on the faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Staff Sergeant Christopher Blossom

SSG Blossom was the Gold Medal Winner at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and served as Adjunct Faculty at Wallace Community College Selma. He participated in the Chamber Music America’s Rural Residency Program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. SSG Blossom earned a M.M. at the University of Michigan and a B.M.A. at Bowling Green State University.

Staff Sergeant Daniel Goff

Prior to joining the Army Field Band, SSG Goff served for six years in the 249th Army Band, West Virginia Army National Guard. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from West Virginia University and is currently completing a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan.

Staff Sergeant David Parks

SSG holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from Whitworth College and a Master of Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2006, he was featured at the Integrales New Music Festival; he has also presented guest recitals at the World Saxophone Congresses in Slovenia and Minneapolis, and at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference. SSG Parks is also a past winner of the Music Teachers National Association Competition and the IBLA International Performance Competition. SSG Parks’ teachers include Otis Murphy, Lawrence Gwozdz, and Sylvia Baker. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University.

Trumpet

Sergeant Major Virginia Turner §

SGM Turner is co-principal trumpet with the Concert Band. SGM Turner earned a M.M. at Arizona State University and a B.M.E. at New Mexico State University. She is an active member of the International Women's Brass Conference.

Master Sergeant Michael Klima **

MSG Klima has performed with ensembles including the Kent Brass Quintet, Great Lakes Brass Quintet, Baltimore Opera, St. Cloud Symphony, and the Springfield Symphony. MSG Klima earned a M.M. at Kent State University and a B.M. at St. Cloud State University. He is a member of Chamer Brass and co-principal trumpet with the Concert Band.

Sergeant First Class Nicholas Althouse

SFC Althouse received bachelor’s degrees in trumpet performance from The Ohio State University and the Sweelink Conservatory in Amsterdam, and a master’s degree in trumpet performance from the University of Arkansas. He has previously served with the Air Force’s Heartland of America Band, the USAF—Europe Band, and the 106th Army Band.  His teachers include Richard Burkart, Friedemann Immer, Richard Rulli, and Keith Johnson. SFC Althouse is currently a doctoral candidate at The University of North Texas. He has taught at the Musikschule Hofheim and the University of Arkansas. A native of Salem, Ohio, SFC Althouse joined the Field Band in 2007.

Sergeant First Class John Altman

SFC Altman received a M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance at Northern Illinois University and a B.A. at the Centre College of Kentucky. He has performed as lead trumpet with the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and section member of the Florida Chamber Orchestra, Rockford Symphony and the Washington Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. SFC Altman is a member of the Chamber Brass.

Sergeant First Class Phillip Johnson

SFC Phillip Johnson earned a Master of Music from the University of North Texas, where he was a teaching fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies. He received a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Kentucky University, where he served on the faculty of the Stephen Foster Music Camps. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, North Texas Wind Symphony, Dallas Opera, and Glenn Miller Orchestra. He is a member of TUSAFB Brass Quintet.

Sergeant First Class James Wood, Jr.

SFC Wood earned a B.M. from the New England Conservatory, a M.M. from Northwestern University, and a D.M.A from the University of North Texas. His instructors include Armando Ghitalla, Charles Schlueter, Vincent Cichowicz, and Keith Johnson. He has served as principal trumpet of the North Texas Wind Symphony, has performed with the Dallas Opera, and the Newcastle Brass Quintet, and has taught at the University of North Texas. He is currently a member of the Field Band's Educational Brass Quintet.

Sergeant First Class Ward Yager

SFC Yager performed with the North Texas Wind Symphony, Dallas Opera, and the Memphis Symphony. He has recorded for GIA Publications, Klavier, and Summit Records. SFC Yager earned a M.M. at the University of North Texas and a B.M.E. at the University of Memphis.

French Horn

Master Sergeant Alan White**

MSG White earned a M.M. at the University of Cincinnati and a B.M.E. at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. MSG White has served as associate principal horn of La Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, and second horn with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra and Cape Town Philharmonic. He is the NCOIC of the Pentagon Winds quintet and the Horn Quartet.

Master Sergeant Robert Cherry

MSG Cherry is a member of TUSAFB Brass Quintet. He has served as principal horn of the Southwest Michigan Symphony and Southbend Symphony, and Contributing Artist at the 2001 Horn Symphonsium. He has performed with the Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, and the Columbus Pro Musica. MSG Cherry earned a B.M. at Western Michigan University and a performer's certificate from Indiana University.

Staff Sergeant Stephen Aaron

SSG Stephen Aaron earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Baylor University and a Master of Music in Performance from The Juilliard School. Prior to joining the Field Band in 2007, SSG Aaron performed with the Canton Symphony and as a substitute with The Cleveland Orchestra. He has also performed with the Waco Symphony. SSG Aaron is currently working on an Artist Diploma at The Cleveland Institute of Music. His teachers include Jeffrey Powers, Jerome Ashby, and Richard Solis.

Staff Sergeant Timothy Huizenga

SSG Timothy Huizenga holds a Bachelors Degree as well as a Performers Diploma from Indiana University, where he studied with Myron Bloom and Jeff Nelson. Prior to joining the Field Band, he served as Principal Horn with the Columbus, IN Philharmonic.

Staff Sergeant Christy LaBarca

SSG Christy LaBarca is originally from State College, PA. Prior to joining the Field Band SSG LaBarca performed with the National Repertory Orchestra, Brevard Symphony, and was a substitute with the New World Symphony and Boston Brass. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy from Duquesne University and is currently pursuing a Master of Music from Yale University, where she studies with William Purvis.

Staff Sergeant Jeanne Wiesman

SSG Jeanne Wiesman is originally from Greenwood, IN. Prior to joining the Field Band, SSG Wiesman performed with with New World Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and at music festivals internationally. She holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and Boston University.

Trombone

Sergeant Major Mark Bowling***

SGM Bowling is soloist and principal trombonist with the Concert Band. He is also a private teacher and clinician. SGM Bowling holds a M.M. from Arizona State University and a B.M. in theory and composition from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Master Sergeant Aaron Kadrmas

MSG Kadrmas attended the Interlochen Arts Academy and Western Michigan University. He is a member of TUSAFB Brass Quintet.

Sergeant First Class Todd Sturniolo

SFC Todd Sturniolo has performed with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Blossom Festival. He earned a B.A. and B.S. at Lebanon Valley College and a M.M. at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is a frequent soloist with the Concert Band and performs with Chamber Brass.

Staff Sergeant Carmen Russo

SSG Russo studied with Per Brevig at the Aspen School of Music and later studied with Don Kneeburg, ultimately earning his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of South Florida in 1997. From 1994-2004 he performed with a variety of professional organizations including: The Florida Orchestra, Florida West Coast Symphony, The Symphony of Southwest Florida, Sarasota Opera, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and for the Holland America and Carnival Cruise Lines. SSG Russo was also selected to play with the Grandlink World opening festival band in Qingdao, China, in addition to several traveling off-Broadway shows including The Lion King, Cinderella, 42nd St, The Producers, Chicago, and Showboat.

Bass Trombone

Staff Sergeant Wesley Ballenger III

SSG Wesley Ballenger III earned a B.M. at Indiana University. His teachers include M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson, and Ian Bousfield. SSG Ballenger has performed as bass trombonist with the Richmond Symphony and Columbus (Indiana) Philharmonic.

Euphonium

Sergeant First Class Christopher Sarangoulis

SFC Christopher Sarangoulis earned a B.M. at the University of Texas, and attended Duquesne University and the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. He served as clinician and soloist in the north Texas area. He currently performs with the Concert Band.

Staff Sergeant Lauren Veronie

SSG Veronie is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where she studied euphonium with Brian Bowman. Her bachelor's and master's degrees are both in Euphonium Performance, which she earned in 2005 and 2007 respectively. She has recorded extensively with the North Texas Wind Symphony, has performed with the Dallas Wind Symphony and the Houston Symphonic Band, and was an active soloist, chamber musician and teacher in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Tuba

Master Sergeant Scott Cameron

MSG Cameron earned a M.M. at the University of Maryland and a B.M.E. at Indiana University. He is a member of TUSAFB Brass Quintet.

Master Sergeant Daniel Sherlock**

MSG Sherlock is tuba soloist and section leader with the Concert Band. He is principal tuba with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. MSG Sherlock attended Arizona State University.

Sergeant First Class Matthew Nelson

SFC Nelson attended the Indiana University School of Music. He performs with Chamber Brass.

Double Bass

Staff Sergeant Joel Ciaccio

SSG Ciaccio earned a bachelor's degree at the Eastman School of Music and a master's degree from The University of Maryland School of Music. His teachers include Curtis Burris, Ali Yazdanfar, and James B. Vandemark. Prior to joining the Field Band, SSG Ciaccio performed with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and won a section bass contract with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Outside of the Field Band SSG Ciaccio continues to freelance within the DC/Baltimore area and is a core member of the the Great Noise Ensemble.

Piano

Master Sergeant Sammy Marshall

MSG Marshall earned a M.M. in Vocal Accompanying at the Manhattan School of Music and a B.M.E. at James Madison University. He has served as Staff Accompanist at the Music Academy of the West, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Manhattan School of Music.

Staff Sergeant Darren Lael

SSG Darren Lael is originally from Hickory, NC. Prior to joining the Field Band SSG Lael was the keyboardist and conductor for touring productions of Grease!, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Godspell, Oklahoma, and The Full Monty. He has also served as a faculty accompanist at Elon University and Grand Valley State University. SSG Lael holds degrees from the University of Maryland and the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Harp

Sergeant First Class Melissa Dunne

SFC Dunne earned a M.M. and B.M. at the Eastman School of Music. SFC Dunne is principal harp of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. She performs with Flarpa, the Field Band’s flute and harp duo.

Timpani

Staff Sergeant Robert Marino

SSG Marino earned a BM from The Eastman School of Music, with double majors in percussion performance and music education. He has also attended Boston University, pursuing an MM in percussion performance. He is a Vic Firth Educator and Endorser and has instructed several high school marching bands and corps of Drum Corps International. SSG Marino was also the percussion caption head and arranger for the Boston University Marching Band. His instructors include John Beck, Tim Genis, Joe Periera, Gordon Stout, Charles Ross, and John Wagner.

Percussion

Sergeant Major William Elliott**

SGM Elliott has performed with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra and the Lexington Philharmonic. He is currently on the percussion faculty at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex Campus, and previously served as interim percussion professor at the University of Kentucky. SGM Elliott earned a M.M. at Northern Illinois University and a B.M.E. at the University of Kentucky.

Sergeant Major Thomas Enokian***

MSG Enokian is soloist, percussion section leader and group leader with the Concert Band. He is a substitute percussionist for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. MSG Enokian earned a B.M. at the Eastman School of Music.

Sergeant First Class Phillip Kiamie

SFC Phillip Kiamie earned a Graduate Diploma at the New England Conservatory and a B.M. at Boston University. He has attended the Aspen Music Festival and School. SFC Kiamie has been a member of the New World Symphony and Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, and a substitute for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He currently performs with the Concert Band.

Sergeant First Class Brian Spurgeon

SFC Brian Spurgeon earned a B.M. at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a M.M. at Carnegie Mellon University. He has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and as a freelance percussionist in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Audio Engineers

Sergeant First Class Michael McLaughlin

SFC McLaughlin earned a B.S. in Aviation Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a A.S. at Troy State University. He is also a Digidesign Certified Pro Tools Operator. SFC McLaughlin served in the 24th Infantry Division Band, the 283rd Army Band, the 79th Army Band, the 1st Armored Division Band, and the Ground Forces Band.

Sergeant First Class Howard Smith

SFC Smith has served with the 101st Airborne Division and the 5th Signal Command. He performed as guitarist and audio technician with the USAEUR band prior to serving with the Field Band.

§ = Element Leader
*** = group leader
** = section leader
* = principal player