Master Sergeant Melissa Rocha is a flutist with the United States Air Force Band of the West, Lackland AFB, TX. Originally from San Juan, Texas, her Air Force career began in 2006.
Sergeant Rocha attended the University of North Texas where she earned a Bachelor's of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of North Texas, where she studied with Terri Sundberg. In May 2004, Sergeant Rocha completed a Master's Degree in Flute Performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she studied with Alexa Still, and was a recipient of the Virginia Blake Becker Flute Scholarship (2001-2003). Sgt Rocha was named an Outstanding Performer at the 1998 Texas Flute Society Festival, and was a finalist in the Young Artist Piccolo Competition at the 2002 Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair. Upon completion of Basic Training in 2006, Sergeant Rocha was assigned to the US Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, California and moved to the US Air Force Band of the West in 2021.
Sergeant Rocha has toured extensively throughout the West Coast and has performed on seven compact disc recordings with US Air Force Regional Bands and the US Air Force Academy Band. Further, Sergeant Rocha has performed with the LA Phil and notable guest artists such as Vince Gill and Amy Grant, actor Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, The Go-Go’s, and the rock band Chicago.
Education:
2000 – BM in Flute Performance, University of North Texas
2004 – MM in Flute Performance, University of Colorado-Boulder
2011 – Airman Leadership School
2016 – Community College of the Air Force
Major Awards and Decorations:
Air Force Commendation Medal three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Other Achievements:
2006: Band of the Golden West Airman of the Quarter
2010: Band of the Golden West Airman of the Quarter
2012: Band of the Golden West NCO of the Quarter
2015: Band of the Golden West NCO of the Quarter
2016: Band of the Golden West NCO of the Quarter
2016: Air Mobility Command Public Affairs NCO of the Quarter
2016: Band of the Golden West NCO of the Year
2016: Air Mobility Command Public Affairs NCO of the Year
2016: Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2020: Band of the Golden West NCO of the Quarter
2020: Band of the Golden West NCO of the Year
Assignments:
April 2006 – June 2021, Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, California
June 2021 – Present, Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
Effective Dates of Promotion:
MSGT - March 2022
TSGT – October 2018
SSGT – August 2012
SRA – June 2008
A1C – January 2006