SSgt Louis Kim is a Clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. He also serves as the unit’s operations representative. Originally from Clovis, CA, his Air Force career began in 2018 with the Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA.
SSgt Kim is a 2016 graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, CA where he earned his Bachelors Degree in music performance. In 2018 he received a Masters Degree from DePaul University, Chicago, IL. His teachers include Luis Baez (San Francisco Symphony), Jeff Anderle, Julie DeRoche, and Larry Combs (Chicago Symphony).
During his Air Force career, he musically supported Brigadier General Chuck Yeager’s memorial event, recorded a radio session with the Serbian Jazz Orchestra, and has performed alongside with the Ukraine National Presidential Orchestra and the British Army Band Colchester in Kyiv.
EDUCATION
2016 – Bachelors in Music Performance, San Francisco Conservatory, San Francisco, CA
2018 – Masters in Music Performance, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
2022 – Airman Leadership School, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
ASSIGNMENTS
November 2018 – May 2021, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
May 2021 – May 2023, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
May 2023 – present, USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence 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 Overseas Service Ribbon Long
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 – Musician of the Quarter, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
2022 – Airman of the Quarter, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
2022 – HQ USAFE/AFAFRICA PA Airman of the Quarter, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
2022 – Airman of the Quarter, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
2022 – HQ USAFE/AFAFRICA PA Airman of the Quarter, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class – August 2018
Senior Airman – December 2020
Staff Sergeant – March 2023
(Current as of October 2023)