Technical Sergeant Meghan Yankowskas is a clarinetist with the USAF Band of Mid-America Concert Band and Ceremonial Band, and currently serves as the unit’s Assistant Director of Operations. In addition to her primary instrument, Sergeant Yankowskas has also served as a vocalist and arranger within the Air Force Bands.
A native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, TSgt Yankowskas began her Air Force career in 2015 at the USAF Band of Mid-America. Prior to her current position, she was assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe Band where she served as the Music Director for Wings of Swing and was the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for the Productions Shop.
TSgt Yankowskas’s accomplishments include solo performances with the National Presidential Orchestra of Ukraine and the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, participating in Fifth House Ensemble’s Fresh Inc. Festival, and performing & leading master classes across the US, Europe, and Africa. Additionally, she is a member of the St. Louis-based experimental folk group Third Millennium World’s Fair and has previously served as the clarinet professor for Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL. An avid enthusiast of music technology, Sergeant Yankowskas enjoys incorporating electronics into her musical endeavors. In 2019, she presented her lecture “Beep-Boops and You: Combining Electronics with ‘Classical’ Instruments 101” at the International Clarinet Association’s Clarinetfest in Knoxville, Tennessee. She can be seen performing original electronic music throughout the St. Louis music scene in her spare time.
EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Music in Music Education, University of New Hampshire
2015 Masters of Music in Clarinet Performance, Bowling Green State University
2019 CMSAF Bud Andrews Airman Leadership School, Scott AFB, IL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July-September 2015, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. September 2015-October 2019, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
3. October 2019-October 2023, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. October 2023-present, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with one oak leaf cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 MyAirForceLife Worldwide Talent Competition, 2nd Place – Musical Variety Division
2017 Airman of the Quarter Jul-Sept, Air Mobility Command/Public Affairs
2018 Air Force Public Affairs Morrell Media Awards, First Place – Small Instrumental Composition or Arrangement
2019 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School, Scott AFB, IL
2019 Airman of the Quarter Apr-Jun, Air Mobility Command/Public Affairs
2020 USAFE Band Musician of the Quarter Jan-Mar & Apr-Jun
2020 Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2024 Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter Apr-Jun, Air Mobility Command/Public Affairs
2024 USAF BoMA Musician of the Quarter Oct-Dec
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class 11 September 2015
Senior Airman 21 November 2017
Staff Sergeant 01 July 2019
Technical Sergeant 01 April 2023
(Current as of May 2025)