Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Master Sergeant John Blair holds a Master of Music degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University. His principal teachers include Richie Hawley, Steve Cohen, Ron de Kant, Dr. Janice Minor, Dr. D. Ray McClellan, and Patti Carlson. As a member of The U.S. Army Field Band, MSG Blair has performed as soloist with the Concert Band and on the Army Field Band’s Chamber Music Series. He is a member of the Woodwind Ambassadors and has performed numerous educational outreach concerts and masterclasses. MSG Blair has also performed professionally with the Tidewater Winds Concert Band, the Penn’s Woods Festival Orchestra, the Howard County Ballet Orchestra, the Columbia Orchestra, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra. MSG Blair is currently a substitute clarinetist with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra.