Technical Sergeant Meghan Yankowskas, a native of Londonderry, NH, joined the Air Force Bands in September 2015. She is currently a member of the USAF Band of Mid-America Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and Liberty Clarinet Quartet. In addition to her primary instrument of clarinet, Sergeant Yankowskas has also served as a vocalist and arranger within the Air Force Bands.
Sergeant Yankowskas’ accomplishments include featured solo performances with the National Presidential Orchestra of Ukraine and the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, participating in Fifth House Ensemble’s Fresh Inc. Festival, and performing & leading master classes across the US, Europe, and Africa. Additionally, she is a member of the St. Louis-based experimental folk group Third Millennium World’s Fair, and has previously served as the clarinet professor for Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL. An avid enthusiast of music technology, Sergeant Yankowskas enjoys incorporating electronics into her musical endeavors. In 2019, she presented her lecture “Beep-Boops and You: Combining Electronics with ‘Classical’ Instruments 101” at the International Clarinet Association’s Clarinetfest in Knoxville. She can be seen performing original electronic music throughout the local music scene in her spare time.
Sergeant Yankowskas attended the University of New Hampshire and Bowling Green State University, studying clarinet under Dr. Elizabeth Gunlogson and Kevin Schempf respectively. Her other interests involve running, video games, thrift shopping, her two cats (Marla and Pancake) and hand-crafting corny puns.
EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Music in Music Education, University of New Hampshire
2015 Masters of Music in Clarinet Performance, Bowling Green State University
2019 CMSAF Bud Andrews Airman Leadership School, Scott AFB, IL
ASSIGNMENTS
July-September 2015, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
September 2015-October 2019, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
October 2019-October 2023, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
October 2023-present, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 MyAirForceLife Worldwide Talent Competition, 2nd Place – Musical Variety Division
2017 Airman of the Quarter Jul-Sept, Air Mobility Command/Public Affairs
2018 Air Force Media Awards, First Place – Small Instrumental Composition or Arrangement
2019 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School, Scott AFB, IL
2019 Airman of the Quarter Apr-Jun, Air Mobility Command/Public Affairs
2020 USAFE Band Musician of the Quarter Jan-Mar & Apr-Jun
2020 Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class 11 September 2015
Senior Airman 21 November 2017
Staff Sergeant 01 July 2019
Technical Sergeant 01 April 2023