Staff Sergeant Melissa Rocha is a flutist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA.  Originally from San Juan, Texas her Air Force career began in 2006.

Staff Sergeant Rocha earned a Bachelor's of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of North Texas, where she studied with Terri Sundberg. In May 2004, Sergeant Rocha completed a Master's Degree in Flute Performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she studied with Alexa Still, and was a recipient of the Virginia Blake Becker Flute Scholarship (2001-2003). Sgt Rocha was named an Outstanding Performer at the 1998 Texas Flute Society Festival, and was a finalist in the Young Artist Piccolo Competition at the 2002 Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair.

EDUCATION
2000- BM in Flute Performance, University of North Texas
2004- MM in Flute Performance, University of Colorado-Boulder
2011 - Airman Leadership School
2016 - Community College of the Air Force

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS DEVICES
1.  Air Force Commendation Medal   0
2.  Air Force Achievement Medal   0
3.  AF Organizational Excellence Award   2
4.  AF Good Conduct Medal   2
5.  National Defense Service Medal   0
6.  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal   0
7.  AF Longevity Service   1
8.  USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon   0
9.  AF Training Ribbon   0

ASSIGNMENTS
Jan 2006- present, Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, California

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
SSG - August 2012
SRA- June 2008
A1C- January 2006

(updated August 2016)