TSgt (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 (Summa Cum Laude, 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, TSgt 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 the 43rd President G.W. Bush, 48th Vice President Mike Pence, and the 45th/47th first lady of the United States, Melania Trump. Other significant military performances include three tours with the USAF Academy Concert Band, the 2023 and 2024 International Horn Symposiums, two performances in the NYC Veterans Day Parade, the 2022, 2024, and 2026 Virginia International Tattoo, as well as the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Medal of Honor Museum in San Antonio Texas. He has frequently performed as a featured xylophone soloist on several tours that have included The Golden Age of the Xylophone with both the concert band and brass ensemble, Bob Becker’s Girlfriend’s Medley, Castle Valse Classique, and other popular ragtime selections. Before the enlisting, 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), Adam Silverman: Percussion Music (Calabaza Records), as well as solo marimba and talking drum on Five West African Rhythms for Akin Euba (Bandcamp).
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
2025 Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education 1
2026 Defense Information School, Intermediate Public Affairs Specialist Course, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
ASSIGNMENTS
- US Air Force Basic Training, Joint Base San-Antonio Lackland, Texas (May-July 2017)
- Jul 2017 - present, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Presidential National Medal of the Arts
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 Heritage of America Band, Airman of the Year
2019 USAF Heritage of America Band, Team of the 1st Quarter, Heritage Brass
2019 JBLE Airman Leadership School, Commandant’s Leadership Award,
2019 JBLE Airman Leadership School, Distinguished Graduate,
2022 USAF Heritage of America Band, Team of the 1st Quarter, Resources
2023 USAF Heritage of America Band, Team of the 3rd Quarter, Resources
2023 USAF Heritage of America Band, ACC/PA Team of the Year, Resources
2024 USAF Heritage of America Band, Musician of the Fourth Quarter
2024 USAF Heritage of America Band, NCO of the Fourth Quarter
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class 02 May 2017
Senior Airman 02 Mar 2019
Staff Sergeant 01 Jan 2021
Technical Sergeant 01 Feb 2026
(Current as of June 2026)