Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Rose MacKenzie, a native of Buffalo, New York, is a hornist with the United States Air Force (USAF) Band of the West, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Horn Performance from the University of Texas at Austin (2016), Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011), and Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College (2009). Prior to her current assignment, SSgt MacKenzie maintained a private horn studio and busy freelance career in Austin, TX and was Adjunct Associate Professor at Austin Community College.
She has performed with San Antonio, Austin, MidTexas, Round Rock, and Fort Smith symphonies, among others, as well as Nickel City and Ash Lawn opera companies. In Austin, she also performed with Ballet Austin, ZACH and Salvage Vanguard theaters, Chorus Austin, Texas Choral Consort, and Adele on the Adele Live tour. SSgt MacKenzie was a member of the award-winning wind quintet, QuinTexas, with whom she won the silver medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. She has also participated in several summer festivals including the National Orchestral Institute, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, and Youth Orchestra of the Americas (Chilean Tour). In addition to being a mom to a baby boy, SSgt MacKenzie enjoys hosting dinner parties, learning about film history, and traveling with her husband, SSgt Justis MacKenzie--arranger for the Band of the West.
Assignments:
1. August-October 2018, student, Basic Military Training, JBSA Lackland, TX
2. October 2018-present, Regional Bandsman Apprentice, Band of the West, JBSA Lackland, TX
3. October-December 2022, Airman Leadership School, JBSA Lackland, TX
4. December 2022-present, Regional Bandsman, Band of the West, JBSA Lackland, TX
Major Awards and Decorations:
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
AF Good Conduct Medal - 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
Effective Date of Promotion:
Airman First Class - 05 Oct 2018
Senior Airman – Summer 2020
Staff Sergeant – 1 Jan 2023