Airman First Class Thomas Kelley is a Regional Band Apprentice assigned to the United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He performs his musical duties as trombonist with the unit’s brass quintet, “Spirit of Freedom.” In addition to his musical duties, he is a member of the unit’s publicity and productions team.
Originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, Airman Kelley received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s degree from Indiana University where he served as a graduate assistant to the brass department. He is currently finishing his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa where he was a teaching assistant for the brass and musicology departments.
While pursuing studies, Airman Kelley performed regularly with many regional professional ensembles such as Orchestra Iowa, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Beloit-Janesville Symphony and the Madison Jazz Orchestra. He was the winner of the 2015 Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, performing Henri Tomasi’s Trombone Concerto with the Sewanee Symphony festival Orchestra.
EDUCATION
2017 Bachelor of Music Performance, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
2019 Masters of Music Performance, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jun 2021 – Jul 2021, Basic Trainee, 326th Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
2. July 2021 – present, Regional Bandsman, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 Master Sergeant John Chapman Award, Basic Training Flight 627, 326th Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class 22 Jul 2021
(Current as of August 2021)