Technical Sergeant Sara Garing is a bassoonist with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Sergeant Garing holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance summa cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College, and a Master of Music degree in Bassoon Performance from Indiana University. Her teachers include Jonathan Sherwin, Charles Ullery, William Ludwig, Timothy McGovern, Christopher Weait, and Robert Jordan. Additionally, she has performed in master classes for or had private studies with Arthur Weisberg, Barrick Stees, Felicia Foland, and Patricia Gunter.
Prior to enlisting, Sergeant Garing had opportunities to perform with the Rome Festival Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony Chamber Orchestra. During her time at Indiana University, she studied violin making with Tom Sparks and has worked as a luthier. She also worked as a technician for Weisberg Systems, LLC where she helped install and facilitate design processes for the automatic register hole system for bassoon and studied acoustics with James Keyes. Outside of music, Airman Garing enjoys horseback riding and knitting.
EDUCATION
2007 - Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio
2009 - Master of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
2012 - Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2016 – Airman Leadership School, Scott AFB, IL
2017 – Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
Oct 2012 – Jul 2018, Regional Band journeyman, USAF Band of Mid America, Scott AFB, Illinois
Jul 2018 – Aug 2024, Regional Band Bassoon, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
Aug 2024 - present, Regional Band Bassoon, USAF Band of Mid America, Scott AFB, Illinois
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2014 Band of Mid America Airman of the Year, Scott AFB, Illinois
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class, August 21, 2012
Senior Airman, December 21, 2014
Staff Sergeant, August 01, 2016
Technical Sergeant, December 01, 2020