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Two Sopranos – One Mission
Thomas Palmatier | September 10, 2023SBO+: This month marks a slight departure from our usual approach in “America’s Musicians.” Usually, the military musician tells their story. Here, SBO+ editor-in-chief Tom Palmatier tells the stories of master sergeant Teresa Alzadon and sergeant first class Rachel Farber. Why? Because he hired them! Auditions for any position in a military premier band (the […] Read More... -
From Salsa to Service: Musician 2nd Class Cesar Pimental Ortiz
SBO Staff | August 20, 2023Music has the power to transcend borders and reach people from all cultures. This was the case for Musician 2nd Class Cesar Pimentel Ortiz who grew up listening to salsa and other Latin music in Puerto Rico. This soundtrack became the inspiration for his pursuit of musical studies in Puerto Rico’s distinguished conservatory. A path […] Read More... -
Coast Guard Musician’s Work Transcends Boundaries
CDR Adam Williamson, CDR Krystyn Pecora | July 16, 2023Traveling more than 7,000 miles away from New London, Ct. to Chennai, India, Musician First Class (MU1) Meera Gudipati has learned first-hand how music can be a universal language through her continued work with the South Asian Symphony Foundation. Gudipati was recently invited by the former Indian ambassador to the United States and Indian Foreign […] Read More... -
From Mean Green to Army Green: My Journey as a Musician
Staff Sergeant Trevor Duell | June 12, 2023“Are you sure about this?” my mother asked with a slight twinge of worry. “We support your decision and are behind you all the way,” my dad quickly added. I remember the conversation as though it were yesterday. I was completing my doctoral dissertation at the University of North Texas and planning my next move. […] Read More... -
Staff Sergeant Brooke Bart – Marine Corps Music Program
Staff Sergeant Brooke Bart | May 11, 2023My experience as a musician in the Marine Corps has offered me the opportunity to do the most incredible things, explore the most incredible places, and perform with the most incredible people. I have seen and done things that my 10-year-old self would be amazed by. The path that got me to where I am […] Read More... -
Technical Sergeant Erick Quintanilla – Air National Guard Bands
SBO Staff | April 2, 2023Technical sergeant (TSgt) Erick Quintanilla is a citizen Airman, serving as both a musician in the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast and as a music educator for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Like many, Quintanilla’s ideals and work ethic have been shaped by his life experiences. Growing up in Mid-City Los […] Read More... -
In Her Own: Words Musician 1st Class Adele Demi U.S. Navy Band
Musician 1st Class Adele Demi | March 13, 2023Musician 1st Class Adele Demi joined the United States Navy Concert and Ceremonial Band in 2012 as a clarinet instrumentalist. She has served as a ceremonial band drum major, an enlisted conductor of the concert band, auditions supervisor, and was recently named the band’s 2022 Sailor of the Year from a field of 94 of […] Read More... -
Gunnery Sgt. Amy McCabe
SBO Staff | February 19, 2023First Female Principal Trumpet in “The President’s Own” In September 2022, Gunnery Sgt. Amy McCabe was officially announced as principal trumpet for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. The first female to hold that title in the band’s 225-year history, she replaced Master Gunnery Sgt. Kurt Dupuis, who served as principal since 1994. “As […] Read More... -
Why I Serve with Music
SFC Zackery Pride | January 15, 2023Many people say they started playing from an early age. They were banging away on the piano, the desk at school, or even pots and pans in the kitchen. Others may have been introduced to their instrument through their local school band or orchestra. Some might have found a way to express themselves musically without […] Read More... -
Technical Sergeant Kelly Cho
SBO Staff | December 15, 2022Playing an instrument is not just about becoming a musician… It’s about developing your heart.” – Technical Sgt. Kelly Cho, violin From her earliest days as a three-year old pianist, music has always maintained a presence in the life of the newest member of The United Air Force Band, Technical Sergeant Kelly Cho. But she […] Read More... -
Serving as a Citizen Soldier Chief Warrant Officer Four
Kathy Schiafone | November 13, 2022I planned to be an accountant. Although I don’t remember why accounting, or who influenced me, it was an easy profession to imagine as a high school student; a clear path to a stable and life-sustaining wage. As a young child growing up in Johnsonburg, PA, I listened to my Italian father, Cosmo, play accordion, and […] Read More... -
My Story
Mike Lawson | October 13, 2022How did I, a person of Colombian peasant heritage, end up in the U.S Air Force Band of the West? To answer that, I must first tell you about my parents; about their hard work and sacrifice that allowed me to do my hard work and sacrifice. My parents grew up in peasant families: mud […] Read More...
