Senior Airman Dalton Tran is a native of Irvine, California. He received his Bachelors and Masters in Clarinet Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied with Gary Gray (Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra), Steven Barta (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra), and Boris Allakhverdyan (Los Angeles Philharmonic). In January of 2022 Airman Tran joined the Air Force and was assigned to the Band of the West, Lackland AFB. He has twice been selected as soloist with the Band of the West, making his solo professional debut with the Band of the West in 2022 performing Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto and again in 2026 performing Scott McAllister’s Freebirds with fellow Band of the West clarinetist Staff Sergeant Sarah Smelser. Prior to joining the Band of the West, Senior Airman Tran performed with the Pacific Symphony, Bakersfield Symphony, and Debut Chamber Orchestra, as well as with the UCLA Wind Ensemble and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a rare performance of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS for the composer’s centennial. In his free time, Senior Airman Tran enjoys spending time with his wife Ice and dog Carmella, as well as indoor rock-climbing and trying all the food and drink San Antonio has to offer.
EDUCATION:
2018: Bachelor of Arts, Clarinet Performance, University of California, Los Angeles
2021: Master of Music, Clarinet Performance, University of California, Los Angeles
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Jan 2022 – March 2022, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. March 2022 - Present, Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Senior Airman - 23 May 2025
Airman First Class - March 2022
current as of August 2026