Technical Sergeant Michael Casto is a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Academy Band. He joined the band in December of 2020 and performs with the Concert Band, Marching Band, and Rockies Clarinets. In addition performing, Michael also assists with the auditions shop and event crew.
Prior to joining the Air Force, Michael served as the Second Clarinetist and Solo E-flat Clarinetist with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and was awarded the Woodwind Quintet Fellowship at the University of Maryland. Additionally, he has performed with the New World Symphony, the Greeley Philharmonic, the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and the Capital City Symphony. Michael has also performed around the world making his Carnegie Hall debut in 2016, and his debut in the Seoul National Arts Center in 2015.
Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Clarinet Performance from Indiana University as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from the University of Maryland. His primary teachers include Robert DiLutis, Eli Eban, Paul Cigan, and USAF Maj. (ret) Frank Hudson.
EDUCATION:
2010 High School Diploma, DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, MD
2014 Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2016 Master’s Degree in Clarinet Performance, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Dec. 2020 – Present, USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medal
Honor Graduate Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class – Oct 2020
Technical Sergeant – Dec 2020