Once someone realizes they have a talent for singing, they usually have a plan and a goal. I was not one of those people. I grew up in Hampton, Virginia, in a blue-collar household where hard work and grit were mandatory—two characteristics I would later learn to be invaluable in the pursuit of a singing career. I matched my talent with stubbornness and a willingness to take any stage I could find. So much so that I was already singing professionally at the age of seventeen. I began my career at Busch Gardens Europe, where I performed Irish music, folk, country, and everything in between. Fueled by this foundational and diverse musical experience, I spent the years that followed performing in jazz quartets, indie rock bands, hip-hop collaborations, and lead roles in community theater—truly wherever and however I could. By the time I was cast to perform in sixty cities in under six months as lead vocalist in the national tour of Rockin’ Road to Dublin, I was certain of one thing: I was meant to sing for a living.
What I’d yet to imagine was doing so in uniform.
In 2018, the United States Marine Corps made history by creating a Military Occupational Specialty for a vocalist, the first of its kind in that branch, and I became the first-ever Marine enlisted in that role. I first went through boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and then headed to the Naval School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, where I studied with some of the best musicians I had ever met. After my military education, I found my home with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, where I quickly learned that to sing for our nation required a different set of skills than singing in a bar or in a rock ‘n’ roll Irish step dance show. The weight of the uniform changed what it meant to stand in front of an audience. Suddenly, the music meant more: more history, more sacrifice, and a shared legacy. Service gave the music a new purpose.
During my time in the Marine Corps, I also worked toward my degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. Although I’d started college right after high school, I dropped out to focus on music. The military gave me a chance to finish what I’d begun. Balancing coursework with the demands of military life wasn’t easy, but in 2021, I completed my Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in global media studies and crisis communication. It was a quiet accomplishment in some ways, garnering neither ceremony nor fanfare, but I was proud of myself, and of the discipline that made my education possible.
I hadn’t planned what came next.
I had always admired The United States Army Field Band, but I was a real fan of Six- String Soldiers. As a six-person acoustic ensemble rooted in Americana, country, and popular music, they connected with audiences in an immediate and genuine way. There was no production barrier between the music and the listener, just voices, instruments, and a shared story. I had followed the group for years, and, although I’d never imagined myself being part of them, I had to audition. When the position of lead vocalist opened, I had to try. I submitted my tape, and, in 2022, I was awarded the job. It was then that I transferred my service from the Marine Corps to the Army.
It was not a decision I took lightly. The Marine Corps had given me experiences that I’d carry with me for the rest of my life. I learned to be disciplined and courageous; I gained a community of musicians that I deeply respected; and I had the singular honor of being a Marine. However, Six-String Soldiers offered me an opportunity that I couldn’t ignore.
Since joining the Army and Six-String Soldiers, I’ve had the privilege of performing at the Grand Ole Opry, at NFL and NBA games, and at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, one of the most prestigious military music events in the world. However, the performances that stay with me the most are the ones for veterans across this country. Be it at community centers, veterans’ events, or VA hospitals, the audiences may not be large, but the need is real. I love hearing their stories, their struggles, and their accomplishments. Those moments remind me why military musicians do what we do. The music isn’t about the performer, but rather the people in the room listening.
I set out to sing, but it was through service that I found the most meaningful work of my life.