Technical Sergeant Melissa Lackore

Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Melissa Lackore serves as a vocalist for the Heritage of America Band.  A native of Garner, Iowa, TSgt 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’s 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, TSgt Lackore recorded “Take Five” with world renowned jazz vocalist Marilyn Maye. Prior to joining the Air Force, TSgt 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.

TSgt 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.

TSgt 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.