Master Sergeant David B. Halperin joined the United States Air Force Academy Band in January 2021 and performs on clarinet with Rockies Clarinets, Concert Band, and Marching Band. He serves as the Unit Deployment Manager and Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of Rockies Clarinets.
A native of Highland Park, Illinois, MSgt Halperin began his Air Force career in 2011 and was stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA and Ramstein Air Base, Germany. While there, he was able to perform chamber music for the general public, ambassadors, and heads of state across Europe and Africa. Sergeant Halperin has also deployed as the Flight Chief, Air Forces Central Band at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, responsible for all logistics concerning the band’s first-ever performances at the 2023 Dubai International Air Show and 2024 World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia. He has been a featured soloist on multiple occasions with the USAF Academy Band, USAF Heritage of America Band, and the National Presidential Orchestra of Ukraine. Other notable Air Force performances include the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade, and the 2013 Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama. In addition to his official duties, MSgt Halperin is the Second Clarinet with the Fort Collins Symphony and plays regularly with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.
Prior to enlisting in the Air Force, Master Sergeant Halperin was a freelance clarinetist based in Chicago and has performed with the Symphony Orchestras of Milwaukee, Colorado, Jacksonville, Virginia, Richmond (VA), and New Mexico, as well as the New World Symphony in Miami. He received fellowships to the Aspen Musical Festival and School and the Brevard Music Center, attended the Aria International Summer Academy, the Las Vegas and Hot Springs Music Festivals, and was co-Principal Clarinet with the Ohio Light Opera.
MSgt Halperin holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Music from the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. He includes among his teachers Steve Cohen, J. Lawrie Bloom, J. David Harris, Burt Hara, Bil Jackson, and Dr. Sunshine Simmons.
EDUCATION
2003 High School Diploma, Highland Park High School, Highland Park, IL
2007 Bachelor of Music, Clarinet Performance, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
2009 Master of Music, Clarinet Performance and Literature, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
2016 Airman Leadership School, Kapaun AS, Germany
2021 Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Peterson SFB, CO
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2011 – December 2011, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. December 2011 – June 2015, Regional Band Clarinet, USAF Heritage of America Band, JB Langley-Eustis, VA
3. June 2015 – January 2021, Regional Band Clarinet, US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. January 2021 – Present, NCOIC Music Performance Team, USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO (October 2023 – April 2024, Flight Chief, Air Forces Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air & Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air & Space Achievement Medal
Air & Space Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster
AF Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 Airman of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band
2019 Musician of the Quarter, Second Quarter, US Air Forces in Europe Band
2023 Non-commissioned Officer of the Quarter, First Quarter, USAF Academy Band
2023 Morrell Media Awards, First Place, Small Instrumental Composition/Arrangement
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class October 18, 2011
Senior Airman February 18, 2014
Staff Sergeant December 1, 2016
Technical Sergeant January 16, 2021
Master Sergeant June 1, 2024
(CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 2024)