Master Sergeant Rebecca Taylor Master Sergeant Rebecca Taylor, a native of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, performs on percussion with the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. She also serves as the Additional Duty First Sergeant. Sergeant Taylor is a 1995 graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance and was awarded the Performer's Certificate. While at Indiana, she studied timpani with Gerald Carlyss (formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra) and drum set with in-demand session drummer Kenny Aronoff. During her Air Force career, Sergeant Taylor has performed at the NATO Musikfest in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Japan's International Marching Festival, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Presidential Inaugural Parade. She has performed with Celine Dion, Mnozil Brass, Anacani, Trout Fishing in America, and American Idol finalist George Huff. Sergeant Taylor has performed in 28 countries on four continents. Whether performing for orphans in Africa, entertaining US and coalition forces in Afghanistan, supporting US Embassies around the world, or honoring our veterans at home, Sergeant Taylor is proud to represent the US Air Force. PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION 1997 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas 2002 Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas 2004 Associate's Degree in Applied Music, Community College of the Air Force 2008 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, Florida 2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (correspondence) ASSIGNMENTS 1. Oct 1997 - Jul 2002; USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, Texas 2. Aug 2002 - Apr 2007; US Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach AB, Germany 3. May 2007 - Sep 2013; USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 4. Sep 2013 - Jun 2014; USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, California 5. Jun 2014 - present; USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia AWARDS 2010 - Outstanding Communication SNCO, Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2008 - Distinguished Graduate, Airey NCO Academy, Tyndall AFB, Florida 2002 - Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas 2001 - Airman of the Year, USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, Texas DECORATIONS Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster