Staff Sergeant Justis MacKenzie is a native of Caddo Parish, Louisiana and was raised in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to joining the USAF Bands, SSgt MacKenzie joined the musical stage phenomenon Blast! on its 2014 Japan tour. He has also performed with touring productions such as The Lion King and Shrek the Musical, completing seven nationwide tours as well as international tours to Asia and Central America. In 2022, SSgt MacKenzie completed his first USAF deployment, as a keyboardist on a three-nation Middle East tour, and in 2023 toured in Chile in support of the U.S. Embassy in Santiago.
As a music arranger, SSgt MacKenzie has crafted musical products for the Disney Music Group, HBO, Canadian Brass, Tito Puente Jr., Emmy- and Grammy-winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Platinum recording artist Haley Reinhart, American Idol champion Kris Allen, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and bands from every branch of the U.S. military. He is a four-time winner of the Air Force Morrell Media Award for Best Instrumental Composition/Arrangement.
In his free time, SSgt MacKenzie enjoys karaoke, Cajun cooking, and captaining the Joint Base San Antonio ice hockey team. He is also on the music faculty at Trinity University, and serves as a City Official on the City of San Antonio Citizen Advisory Action Board.
EDUCATION:
2012: Bachelor of Music (with Performer’s Certificate), Eastman School of Music
2017: Master of Music, Rice University 2018: Airman Leadership School
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. May 2015 – July 2018: USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. July 2018 – Present: USAF Band of the West, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air and Space Commendation Medal Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Service Medal
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2015 Air Force Public Affairs Award for Communication Excellence
2015 USAF Band of Flight Airman of the Year
2016 Air Force Public Affairs New Musician of the Year
2016 Air Force Public Affairs Award for Communication Excellence
2016 USAF Band of Flight Airman of the Year
2016 Air Force Media Contest: Best Small Ensemble Composition/Arrangement
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Staff Sergeant: 1 July 2018
(Current as of August 2024)