SrA Philip Castro performs on piano in the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band,
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as the Operations
Representative for Raptor.
Originally from McAllen Texas, SrA Castro earned a B.M. in Piano Performance from Texas
State University where he studied with Dr. Jason Kwak. He received his M.M. in Piano
Pedagogy along with a Graduate Certificate in Jazz Performance from The University of South
Carolina where he studied with Dr. Joseph Rackers and Bert Ligon.
Prior to joining the the Air Force, SrA Castro worked as a music teacher. He served as the
Piano Program Coordinator for the IDEA Public Schools in McAllen and Edinburg TX as well as
the lower school Music Director/Instructor at Northside Christian Academy in Lexington, SC.
His passion for education continues as he maintains a private studio in the Omaha area.
SrA Castro began his military career in 2016 as a Motor Transport Operator in the Army. In
2019 he transferred to the 208th Army Band where he served as a pianist until entering the Air
Force Bands in 2020.
Education:
2013 Bachelor of Music Piano Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
2016 Master of Music Piano Pedagogy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
2016 Graduate Certificate Jazz Performance, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Assignments:
2016 - 2019 414th Transportation Company, Orangeburg, SC
2019 - 2020 208th Army Band, Concord, NC
2020 - Present USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
Major Awards and Decorations:
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon