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Staff Sergeant Levi Cull

Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Levi Cull is a percussionist with the USAF Heritage of America Band that performs with the Concert Band, Heritage Brass Ensemble, and Ceremonial Band. He holds a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from the University of South Carolina, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University (Magna Cum Laude). Teachers include Timothy Adams Jr., John Lawless, Kimberly Toscano-Adams, and Dr. Scott Herring. He has also studied drum set with Jeff Hamilton, Justin Chesarek, Marc Widenhofer, and Jay Ware. Other Studies include masterclasses or lessons with Tom Freer, Jim Atwood, Mathew Duvall, William James, Mark Yancich, Peter Kogan, Eric Shin, and Jauvon Gilliam.

Prior to enlisting in 2017, SSgt Cull pursued Doctoral studies in percussion performance at the University of Georgia on a full graduate teaching assistantship. From 2015-2023 he was a section percussionist and assistant timpanist with the Fayetteville Symphony. He is a frequent performer with orchestras throughout the US including: the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Philharmonic, South Carolina Philharmonic, La Grange Symphony, and Symphony Orchestra Augusta. During his career thus far, he has performed for President G.W. Bush, Vice President Mike Pence, and the FLOTUS Melania Trump. Other significant military performances include two performances in the NYC Veterans Day Parade, the 2022 Virginia International Tattoo, and the 2022 groundbreaking ceremony of the National Medal of Honor Museum in San Antonio Texas. He has frequently been asked to perform as a featured soloist on tour with the HOAB including performances of The Golden Age of the Xylophone, Bob Becker’s Girlfriend’s Medley, and other ragtime favorites. Before the USAF Levi also performed Michael Daugherty’s Raise the Roof for Timpani and Orchestra, as the winner of the 2015 University of South Carolina Concerto and Aria Competition. He can be heard playing vibraphone on the albums Carbon Paper and Nitrogen Ink (Garnet House Records) and Adam Silverman: Percussion Music (Calabaza Records).

EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
2015 Master of Music, Percussion Performance, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
2016-2017 Doctoral Studies, Percussion Performance, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
2019 Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
2021 Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Enhancement Course, Joint Base Langley-Eustis
 
ASSIGNMENTS
  1. Jul 2017 - present, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
 
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 Airman of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band
2019 Commandant’s Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School
2019 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
 
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class 02 May 2017
Senior Airman 02 Mar 2019
Staff Sergeant 01 Jan 2021
 
(Current as of September 2022)