Master Sergeant Nicholas Ciardelli is a trumpet player with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL. Originally from Beach Haven, NJ, his Air Force career began in 2011.
MSgt Nicholas Ciardelli is a 2009 graduate of The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Trumpet Performance. In 2015, he received a Masters degree from West Chester University, West Chester, PA. His teachers include Matt Gallagher and George Rabbai at University of the Arts, and Dr. Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski at West Chester University. A portion of TSgt Ciardelli’s professional credits include performing with: Aretha Franklin; The Temptations; The Four Tops; Toni, Tone, Tony; The Glenn Miller Orchestra; The Artie Shaw Orchestra; The Harry James Orchestra; and Ringling Brothers Circus.
Some of MSgt Ciardelli's career highlights have been performing at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles alongside the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic, backing up the band Chicago, performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2019 as well was being a part of The Commanders Jazz Ensemble’s 2013 recording of “Foe Destroyer.”
EDUCATION
2021 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Binnicker PME Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
2016 Airmen Leadership School, Sgt Paul D Ramoneda Airmen Leadership School, Travis AFB, CA
2015 Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, West Chester University, West Chester, PA
2009 Bachelor of Arts in Trumpet Performance, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
AF Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with one Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Longevity Medal with one Oak Leaf Clusters
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
AF Training Ribbon
ASSIGNMENTS
August 2023 – present Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
June 2020 – August 2023 Band of the Pacific, Hickam AFB, HI
March 2012 – June 2020 Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Master Sergeant - 1 Feb 2024
Technical Sergeant - 1 February 2020
Staff Sergeant - 1 May 2016
Senior Airmen - 26 April 2014
Airman First Class - 19 February 2012
(Current as of March 2022)