Senior Airman (SrA) Jarrett Kocan is a trumpeter in the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band. As a Regional Band member, it is his duty to perform various events to celebrate and honor the men, women and efforts of the U.S. Air Force. Since joining the Air Force in 2017, SrA Kocan has had the opportunity to perform with many professional artists and ensembles. Notable performances include concerts with the Virginia Symphony, Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival with Mark Pender, and masterclasses with Howard Levy. In 2018, he was selected to aid the USAF Ceremonial Brass at Arlington National Cemetery in honoring those who have served.
Prior to his military service, SrA Kocan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Duquesne University and studied with former principal trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony, George Vosburgh, co-principal trumpet Charles Lirette, and second trumpet Neal Berntsen. In Pittsburgh, he was a freelance musician performing with the Johnstown, Westmoreland, Wheeling, and South Florida symphonies. He also performed regularly with the Pittsburgh Symphony where he had the opportunity to play alongside musicians such as Olivia Newton John, Byron Stripling, and Chris Botti.
EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Science, Music Education, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
2014 Master of Music, Trumpet Performance, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sep 2017 - present, USAF Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Honor Graduate Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class 27 Jun2017
Senior Airman 27 Apr 2019
(Current as of March 2022)