Airman First Class Karlee Kamminga plays horn in the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In addition to performing in Offutt Brass, she also serves as a publicity clerk, unit health monitor, and is a government purchase cardholder.
A native of Rockford, MI, A1C Kamminga has an extensive resume performing in orchestras across the United States. While living in Boston, her woodwind quintet was invited to perform Yehudi Wyner’s Into the Evening Air on a Boston Symphony Orchestra prelude concert. A member of the NU CORNO horn ensemble, A1C Kamminga has premiered new works at the International Horn Symposium since 2024. Additionally, A1C Kamminga has appeared as a soloist with the Nebraska Wind Symphony and at the Mid North Horn Workshop.
An in-demand educator, A1C Kamminga frequently appears as a clinician at universities with Offutt Brass and at academic conferences. Additionally, A1C Kamminga presents career coaching lectures to students and young professionals aspiring to have a full-time job in music. While living in Boston, A1C Kamminga was selected by Carnegie Hall to present their Link Up curriculum to multiple K-5 classrooms in Boston, culminating in a shared concert at New England Conservatory. In Omaha, A1C Kamminga has a thriving private studio and serves the Nebraska State Bandmaster association as an adjudicator.
A1C Kamminga holds a Master of Music in Horn Performance from New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance and French minor from Western Michigan University. Her primary teachers include Rachel Childers, Dr. Lin Foulk Baird, and Dr. Paul Austin.
Assignments:
November 2023- Present, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
Education:
2017 High School Diploma, Rockford High School, Rockford, MI
2021 Bachelor of Music, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
2023 Master of Music, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
Major Awards and Decorations:
BMT Honor Graduate
Air and Space Training Ribbon
Other Achievements:
2025 January-March Musician of the Quarter