Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Melissa Lackore serves as a vocalist for the Heritage of America Band. A native of Garner, Iowa, SSgt Lackore received her Associate of Arts with an emphasis in music from North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA. She then continued her education at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and received her Bachelor Degree in Music Education and Music Performance with emphasis in Classical and Jazz Voice. She has studied with Patricia Shook, Brian Pfaltzgraff, Jane Andrews, Simon Estes, Rosemary Gast, Jane Monheit, Sara Gazarek, and Johnaye Kendrick. While at Wartburg College, SSgt Lackore recorded “Take Five” with world renowned jazz vocalist Marilyn Maye. Prior to joining the Air Force, SSgt Lackore taught K-12 vocal music in the Iowa public school system and High School vocal, instrumental music and music theory in the Nebraska Catholic schools. While teaching in Iowa, she was both the youngest and first female director to win the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships.
SSgt Lackore enlisted in 2011 with the USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE, and has performed for military and civilian audiences worldwide. Some of her memorable performances include performing for the Joint Chief of Staff of China, the US Ambassadors to the United Kingdom and Israel, the Prime Minister of Israel, the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and supporting the African Partnership Flight in Senegal, Africa. She has shared the stage with Grace Potter, Conan O’Brien, Aloe Blacc, Chris Daughtry, Train, Renee Fleming, Darmon Meader, Harry Connick Jr., and Stacy Kent.
SSgt Lackore has deployed multiple times to Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and other locations throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
EDUCATION
2005 Associate of Arts, Music, North Iowa Area Community College
2008 Bachelor Degree, Music Education, Music Performance, Wartburg College
2016 Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
2016 Associate Degree, F&A Art Music, Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Oct 2011 - Oct 2012, US Air Force Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
2. Feb 2012 - Jun 2012, US Air Forces Central Command Band, South West Asia
3. Oct 2012 - Nov 2014, US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
4. Nov 2014 - present, US Air Forces Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustice, Virginia
5. Jul 2015 - Nov 2015, US Air Forces Central Command Band, South West Asia
6. Jul 2017 - Nov 2017, US Air Forces Central Command Band, South West Asia
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with three oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 Non Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band
2016 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School Class 17-A
2016 Airman of the Quarter, USAF Heritage of America Band
2016 Airman of the Quarter, Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs
2014 Airman of the Year, United States Air Forces in Europe Band
2014 Airman of the Year, United States Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class17 Oct 2011
Senior Airman 17 Oct 2013
Staff Sergeant 01 Dec 2016
(Current as of March 2022)