Senior Airman Samuel Bachelder is a pianist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. He currently serves as pianist and keyboardist in the Band of the Golden West's rock group, Galaxu. Airman Bachelder's Air Force career began in February 2014.
Prior to joining the Air Force, Airman Bachelder earned his Bachelor's in Piano Performance from New York University in 2011, studying under Dr. Seymour Bernstein. After graduating in 2011, Airman Bachelder spent two years in New York actively gigging while also maintaining a full teaching studio. Airman Bachelder's performing career has brought him to many diverse locations and venues, including Prague, Czech Republic and Beijing, China, as well as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Airman Bachelder has also served as organist and music director at the Church of St. James the Less in Queens, NY, as well as choral accompanist at St. George's Church in Manhattan.
In 2016, he deployed as a member of the AFCENT Band supporting operations Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support, completing 66 missions in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Afghanistan reaching 5.6 million people.
EDUCATION
2011 - Bachelors in Piano Performance, New York University
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
ASSIGNMENTS
May 2014 - present, Travis Air Force Base, CA
(current as of August 2016)