Staff Sergeant Sarah Moyers serves as a vocalist with the USAF Band of the Pacific at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Originally from Catlett, Virginia, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from George Mason University, where she studied under Dr. Darden Purcell (USAF High Flight, USAF Airmen of Note), Dr. Shawn Purcell (USAF Airmen of Note, US Navy Commodores), Pr. Wade Beach (USAF Airmen of Note), Pr. Jim Carroll (Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra), Pr. Anthony Maiello (American Festival Pops Orchestra), and Pr. Victor Provost.
While completing her degree, SSgt Moyers was the featured vocalist with the Mason Jazz Ensemble (dir. Jim Carroll) and was highly active with the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble (dir. Darden Purcell). Her performances with the groups have taken her to the 2016 Kansas City Jazz Summit (Kansas City, MO), where she won an award for “Outstanding Musicianship,” as well as to the Jazz Education Network Conferences in 2017 (New Orleans, LA) and 2018 (Dallas, TX). SSgt Moyers can be heard as a featured soloist on the albums Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Swing (2016) by Mason Jazz and Voice of Reason (2018) by the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble. She has shared the stage with artists such as the New York Voices, John Pizzarelli, and Patti LuPone, and has and appeared at venues including historic jazz club Blues Alley (Washington, D.C.). SSgt Moyers received 2nd Place in the 2018 International Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition for her performance of Brazilian songs written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Prior to joining the Air Force, SSgt Moyers performed as a freelance vocalist throughout the D.C./Metro area. She also taught piano and voice through several companies including her own private studio.
EDUCATION
2018 - Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
2021 - Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Oct 2018 - Nov 2020, Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
2. November 2020 - Present, Air Force Band of the Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
MAJOR AWARDS
2021 - John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School
2021 – Airman of the Year, USAF Band of the Pacific
DECORATIONS
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class – 31 July 2018
Senior Airman – 1 December 2020
Staff Sergeant - 1 July 2022