support element leader

SGM Scott Weinhold

Albany, NY

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2001

Alum: College of St. Rose / Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music / Indiana University

SGM Scott Weinhold is the Support Element Leader for The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC. Prior to this position, SGM Weinhold was the Senior Producer for TUSAB. Before getting involved in logistics and operations, SGM Weinhold played saxophone in all of the primary instrumental ensembles since joining "Pershing's Own" in 2001. Prior to joining the Army, he was on the road with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Other performance experience includes working on cruises in Europe and the Mediterranean, touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and performing with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and the Blue Wisp Big Band in Cincinnati, OH. Weinhold has studied jazz with Nick Brignola, Rick VanMatre, Phil Degreg, Pat Harbison, and David Baker. As an educator, Weinhold runs an after school jazz program at McLean High School in McLean, VA. He has performed and taught at Cathloic University, Washington DC, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, and Miami University, Oxford, OH. Weinhold also taught music in the Cincinnati Public School System. Weinhold has earned degrees from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY (Bachelor of Science in Music Education), and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Master of Music in Saxophone Performance). He also spent one year at Indiana University working towards another graduate degree in Jazz Studies.

operations

SGM Emily Randle

Chicago, IL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2003

Alum: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign / Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

A native Chicagoan, SGM Emily Randle joined The U.S. Army Strings, in 2003. Randle holds violin performance degrees from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Prior to 2003, she was a member of The Louisville (KY) Orchestra, then performed regularly with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, and Ravinia Festival Orchestra. She has been a substitute violinist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2008, and in 2016 recorded her solo album "Girl of My Dreams." In January of 2014, Randle accepted the position of S3 Operations NCO, and was appointed NCOIC and S3 Group Leader in 2019.

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

SFC Nicholas Hodges

Mechanicsburg, PA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2013

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

SFC 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. SFC 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.

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:

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

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, with their three children.

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

SSG Brittany Primavera joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2019, where she serves as a Public Affairs Specialist. She previously served as a fifer in the United States Army's Fife and Drum Corps, where she performed in such venues as The White House (Washington D.C.), Parliament Hill (Canada), and several notable flute conventions and musters (The 2018 National Muster, Chester 150th Anniversary Muster, Florida Flute Convention, Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, and Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Convention). As an educator, she coached young fifers at the annual Juniors Workshop, presented classes at the Army School of Music on topics related to music and public affairs, and taught flute lessons through the Army Music Mentorship Program. Prior to joining the Army, Primavera taught flute at Lubbock Christian University (Texas) and held the third flute/piccolo position with the Southwest Symphony (New Mexico). She is principal flutist of the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra (Virginia), serves on the Board of Directors of the Capital Wind Symphony (Washington D.C), and teaches flute and piano lessons in the National Capital Region. She holds the Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, a certificate from the Janáčkova akademie múzických umění (Brno, Czech Republic), and a diploma from the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice (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.

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 Producer 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 "Pershing's Own" hired McDaniel to take on his role as Video Producer while still serving as a bass guitarist and as part of the public affairs team with Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to joining the military, McDaniel worked with various production companies in Northern Texas and spend several years creating original programming as the video producer for his home town of Flower Mound, Texas. He and his beautiful wife, Sesalle, have one daughter, Amelia.

video production

SSG Todd Gerlach

Branson, MO

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2020

Alum: College of the Ozarks

SSG 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.

senior producer

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 Brad Cassels

Tampa, FL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2005

Alum:

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

SSG Alexander Righter

Baltimore, MD

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2017

Alum: James Madison University

SSG Alex Righter joined The United States 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 Eric Messick

Midland, VA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2020

Alum:

technical support

SSG Michael Willis

Orlando, FL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2018

Alum: Bethune Cookman University / Full Sail University

SSG Michael Willis began his career in live sound as an audio technician at SeaWorld Orlando in 2017. Willis earned his bachelor’s degree from Bethune Cookman University in 2011 and subsequently worked with the Walt Disney Company while pursuing his master’s degree, which he earned at Full Sail University in 2012. Willis was able to further his experience, grow professionally, and take on many technical challenges while engineering sound for Monster’sUniversity Live Opening, Star Wars Weekend, Disney Channel Rocks, Mulch, Sweat & Shears, The American Idol Experience, and Magic Kingdom's Christian Music Festival Night of Joy.Before joining The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” Willis served with The 3rd Infantry Division Band as a music production technician. While living in Georgia, Willis worked as the sound engineer for the Savannah Picnic in The Park, featuring The 3rd Infantry Division's Jazz Combo and The Savannah Philharmonic. Willis also volunteered weekly at Compassion Christian Church and New Life Church on the audio production teams.

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 Northern Virginia 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.

arranger

MSG James Kazik

DePere, WI

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2001

Alum: University of Minnesota / University of North Texas

SFC James Kazik has been a staff arranger at The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" since 2001. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters degree in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas. He is currently composer-in-residence for the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic in Washington, D.C., as well as a staff writer for Hal Leonard Corp. As a composer, his works, particularly those for trombone, continue to win acclaim both in the U.S. and abroad. Kazik has written several concerti and solo works, as well as various works for orchestra, brass ensemble, and wind ensemble, performed by Wind Ensembles of the University of North Texas, the University of Minnesota, Oklahoma State University, the Showa Wind Symphony, and countless others. Most recently, his wind band orchestration of his Concerto for Trombone, and Windependence Artist Series composition "Eviler Elves" were featured in the GIA series "Teaching Music Through Performance in Band". Kazik hails from DePere, WI.

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 joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2016 as a Staff Arranger. Corry holds a bachelor's degree in Music Composition from Southern Methodist University and a master's degree in Music Composition from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her Doctorate in Music Composition at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she taught introduction to electronic music, continuing education harp, and scuba diving. For six years, she was a teaching fellow at Interlochen Arts Camp, providing instruction on electronic music and theory. Corry has had notable performances by the JACK Quartet, Dallas Symphony Chamber Players, Harvard's Videri String Quartet, Interlochen Ensemble and the Musica Nova Ensemble. Her music is also featured on ABLAZE Record's "Electronic Masters" CD series. She has received numerous commissions, grants and awards from the Dallas Symphony, International Society of Computer Music, Playground Ensemble, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and others. In addition to arranging and composing, Corry is an active harpist and has had notable performances in Carnegie Hall, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Meyerson Symphony Center, Meng Concert Hall, as well as venues in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France.

arranger

SSG Christopher Larosa

Dowington, PA

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2019

Alum: Ithaca College / Boston University / Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

SSG Christopher LaRosa joined The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in 2019 as a staff arranger. He completed his doctorate in music composition at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he taught musical skills and music theory. LaRosa holds a master's degree in music theory from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree in music composition and theory from Ithaca College. His music has received performances throughout North America, Europe, and Asia by ensembles such as the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, CEPROMUSIC, and many premier university ensembles. LaRosa’s electronic music has received performances at the Society of Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States, Seoul International Computer Music Festival, and Electronic Music Midwest. LaRosa has received commissions from the American Guild of Organists, Atlantic Coast Conference Band Directors Association, Georgina Joshi Foundation, and Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

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. 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.

library

SFC 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 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.

human resources

MSG Anita London

Brooklyn, NY

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2016

Alum:

resource management

MSG Timothy Poth

Clearwater, FL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2010

Alum: University of South Carolina / Thomas Edison State College

MSG Poth enlisted in the Army in October 2000 as a trombonist. His assignments include the 282nd Army Band, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; 76th Army Band, Mannheim, Germany; 98th Army Band, Fort Rucker, Alabama; 56th Army Band, Fort Lewis, Washington; and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own", Fort Myer, Virginia, where he has served as Assistant Resource Manager since 2010. Poth deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and 2009. As a trombone player, Poth performed a wide spectrum of music all over the world and served as a featured soloist several times.

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 Assistant 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 his Bachelor of Science in finance from Old Dominion University, and is currently working toward 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 daughter, Riley, and fiancée, Lauren.

logistics

MSG Brad Leja

Orlando, FL

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2010

Alum:

logistics

SSG Samantha Glosh

Mount Pleasant, SC

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2015

Alum: University of South Carolina

SSG Samantha Glosh joined the Army in 2003 just prior to her senior year at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC. Her impetus was to complete the Army's Initial Entry Training to get scholarship money for college. She attended the University of South Carolina in Music Education while serving in the 246th South Carolina National Guard Band. Upon graduation, she stayed with her Guard unit also working as a supply technician. In 2011, Glosh went on Active Duty status in the Army. In 2013, she became a flutist with the 8th Army Band in South Korea (2013-2014) and the following year played with the 56th Army Band at Ft. Lewis, Washington (2014-2015). While at Ft. Lewis, she was also assigned to the Administrative Staff. Her assignment to the Supply Staff here at The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" came in 2015. Glosh does enjoy being on the supporting end of "Pershing's Own" after over ten years of service as a military musician. "I have been so fortunate to have performed all over the world in places such as China, South Korea, Italy, France, and England, and I hope to continue that in the future outside of my Army duties!" She deems her beautiful family – Brian, Alan and Macie – as her greatest strength…her "rock!"

logistics

SSG Kevin Taylor

Washington, DC

Group: Support Staff

Joined the Band: 2019

Alum: