Senior Master Sergeant Michael G. Williams plays piano and keyboards in the Band of the Golden West. His administrative responsibilities currently include serving as one of the band's Superintendents.

Sergeant Williams is originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, graduated Lincoln Southeast High School and went on to attend the University of Nebraska. He earned his B.A. in Music from Thomas Edison State College, a Master's Certificate in Arranging from Berklee College of Music and a Master's Degree in Business Leadership and Management from Liberty University.

Sergeant Williams began his career as a military musician in 1992 with the U.S. Army Band Program, serving with bands stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, Camp Zama, Japan and Fort Monroe, Virginia. He later transferred to the Air Force in 2001, and has since served with bands stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 2 separate tours at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and a previous tour with the Band of the Golden West.

SMSgt Williams has performed in many diverse settings, ranging from keyboardist with the Broadway touring show of "Beauty and the Beast" to accompanist for actors John O'Hurley and Patricia Neal, classical performances with the Tokyo Symphony, jazz performances with Paquito D'Rivera, Tom Scott and John Clayton, and patriotic music with Lee Greenwood. As an arranger, his music has been performed by Eric Marienthal, Frank Gambale, Terrell Stafford, and many others. He has also performed for numerous dignitaries, including Presidents William Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as Vice Presidents Al Gore, Richard Cheney, and Walter Mondale.

SMSgt Williams had the honor or taking part in two deployments, performing in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Kenya, Jordan, Oman and Kyrgyzstan.


MILITARY EDUCATION:
1993 Armed Forces School of Music, Basic Course, Little Creek Naval Base, Virginia
1994 Primary Leadership Development Course, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky (US Army)
1996 BNCOC/Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Ft. Eustis, Virginia (US Army)
2004 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
2006 Associate of Music, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Senior Non-Comissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex- Maxwell AFB, Alabama

CIVILIAN EDUCATION:
2006 Bachelor of Arts in Music - Thomas Edison State College
2007 Master Certificate in Jazz Arranging - Berklee College of Music
2012 Master's Degree in Business Leadership and Management - Liberty University

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters

(current as of August 2016)