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Congratulations to Chief Master Sgt. Jan Duga for 30 years of service!

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Jenn Pagnard
Washington D.C. --  On Dec. 12, 2012 at 12:12 p.m., The United States Air Force Band paid tribute to 30 years of service at a retirement ceremony honoring Chief Master Sgt. Jan Z Duga at the Bolling Club. The ceremony was officiated by the Band's conductor emeritus, retired Col. Arnald D. Gabriel.

Duga performed as a tubist with the Concert Band, The United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C. her entire career. In addition to her performing duties, she served as tour manager for the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants, the Band's superintendent, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Personnel Acquisitions, and most recently chief of the Band's Outreach office. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, her career in the Air Force began in 1983.

Duga graduated from The Ohio State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She continued her education at Arizona State University, earning a Master of Music degree in tuba performance in 1982. Her teachers include her father, Jules Duga, Robert LeBlanc, Raymond Nutaitis, Michael Bunn and Paul Krzywicki. Prior to joining the Air Force, she was a music educator in the Chillicothe, Ohio, public school system.

Throughout her performing career, Duga has been featured as a soloist with the Brass Band of Columbus at the 1992 International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC), and also with the 34th Minnesota Infantry Division Band at the 1998 ITEC. She is a charter member of the International Women's Brass Conference (IWBC), and has conducted and performed in the Joint Service Brass Ensemble at the IWBC conferences in 1993, 1997 and 2001.

Speaking about her military career, "It's truly been an honor and privilege to have served my country and make a difference through sharing the international language of music with a world audience. The opportunity to play with superbly talented Airmen musicians is something I will cherish the rest of my life."
Duga's official date of retirement was March 1, 2013. She plans to remain in the Washington, D.C. area. The members of The United States Air Force Band wish her well as she enters the next chapter of her life!