Sierra Winds trio is a new woodwind trio from the USAF Band of the Golden West. This unique chamber ensemble is comprised of flute, oboe, and bassoon and their performance will feature works by Julis Röntgen, Alyssa Morris, Gary Schocker, Shawn Okpebholo, and Craig Michael Davis.
As part of the Band of the Golden West, the mission of Sierra Winds is to harness musical excellence to HONOR our nation and those who have served, INSPIRE patriotism and resilience in our Airmen, Guardians, and nations’ citizens, and CONNECT the Air Force with the American public and vital regional and national partners, leveraging the power of music to build trust, strengthen bonds, and create positive, lasting impressions. The excellence demonstrated by Sierra Winds reflects the excellence displayed by all Airmen stationed worldwide, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States of America.
MSgt Sarah Howard Carter, flute
Master Sergeant Sarah Howard-Carter is a flutist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA, where she also serves as the unit’s Additional Duty First Sergeant. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, her Air Force career began in 2006 with The Band of the United States Air Force Reserve in Warner Robins, GA.
MSgt Howard Carter holds degrees from the Shenandoah Conservatory and the University of Tennessee where she performed as principal flute and soloist with The University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall. While living in Tennessee, she was principal flute and soloist with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Her orchestral experience includes performances with the Macon Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Savannah Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony. She has taught extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic and served as a flute teacher and woodwind coach at Baltimore School for the Arts and the Waldorf School in Baltimore, MD. Her primary teachers include Frances Lapp Averitt and Shelley Binder.
TSgt Katherine Salmons, oboe
Technical Sergeant Katherine Salmons is an oboist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA where she serves as the NCOIC and Operations Representative of Sierra Winds in addition her role as the unit’s Resource Advisor. She joined the Air Force in 2014. A native of Johnson City, TN, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has held positions with the Owensboro Symphony and the Johnson City Symphony and performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. TSgt Salmons attended the Kent/Blossom and Brevard Music Festivals and studied with Jeffrey Rathbun, Mark Ostoich, Dwight Parry, and Jonathan Blumenfeld.
TSgt Daniel Shifren, bassoon
Technical Sergeant Daniel Shifren is a bassoonist and Section Chief of Publicity with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. Originally from Los Angeles, California, his Air Force career began in 2014. TSgt Shifren earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His teachers include John Campbell, Nancy Goeres, and William Winstead.
To learn more about the USAF Band of the Golden West, please visit https://www.music.af.mil/Bands/US–Air–Force-Band-of-the-Golden-West/.