Biography

SGM Marlisa del Cid 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. Woods is currently the Group Leader of the U.S. Army Strolling Strings and the NCOIC of the U.S. Army Orchestra. Prior to these appointments, Woods served as Stroll Leader and Concertmaster of the U.S. Army Orchestra, leading performances for National and International heads of state and our nation’s top military leadership. She can be seen performing as soloist on The U.S. Army Band’s YouTube channel. She also 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 2 million in live performances and on YouTube. Woods has performed with some of the world’s finest ensembles including the Cleveland Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Concert Artists of Baltimore, has appeared as concertmaster and soloist with the Alexandria Symphony, and as frequent soloist with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra. On baroque violin, Woods has performed with the National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra, 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 Eclectra, Lyrichord, and Dorian labels.