Sergeant Major Ward Yager grew up in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, and calls Memphis his hometown. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland, a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Memphis. SGM Yager has recorded for Klavier Recordings, GIA Publications, and Summit Records, and served as an instructor at summer camps and festivals at the University of Memphis and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. His teachers include Chris Gekker, Keith Johnson, John Holt, and David Spencer. SGM Yager joined The U.S. Army Field Band in 2004 and currently serves as Trumpet Section Leader and Leader of the Army Field Band Brass Quintet.