Technical Sergeant Ivan Hernandez joined the United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, in October 2023. He currently performs as a clarinetist with the Concert Band, Marching Band and the Rockies Clarinet Quartet. He also serves as publicity technician for the Band.
TSgt Hernandez is a professional clarinetist coming to the USAF Academy Band from Brownsville, TX. Originally from Matamoros, Mexico, He is a dedicated performer, collaborator and teacher. Ivan has played with Waco Symphony, Valley Symphony, Orchestra of the Americas as well as a woodwinds pit musician for several theaters in the Atlanta area. He was part of the Baylor University and University of Georgia Graduate Woodwind Quintets and has served as a Band Director in South Texas.
He was awarded first place in the International Clarinet Association’s Orchestral Audition Competition in 2016 and has been a semifinalist for its Young Artist Competitions in 2015 and 2017. His chamber groups have been awarded first place at MTNA’s Chamber Competitions in the states of Texas and Georgia. His students have earned top chairs in the Texas All-State process and performed with the National Youth Orchestra programs. He holds a BME from the University of Texas at Brownsville, MM from Baylor University and Doctoral work from the University of Georgia.
EDUCATION
2013 BME University of Texas Brownsville, Brownsville, TX
2016 MM Baylor University, Waco, TX
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2023 – Present, USAF Academy Band, Peterson AFB, CO
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
BMT Honor Graduate
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Technical Sergeant October 30, 2023
(CURRENT AS OF MARCH 2024)