The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps would like to congratulate the following three Soldiers who were recently promoted to Staff Sergeant. As the Corps celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, we are proud to add them to our legacy. These instrumentalists join a long lineage of those who keep the flame of early American music alive, bringing the traditions of the United States Army and our Nation to audiences throughout the world.

SSG Deanna Hamm – Fife Instrumentalist

SSG Hamm is originally from southern Ohio.  She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and earned the Master of Music from Florida State University. SSG Hamm earned her Doctor of Music in 2009 from FSU.

As a graduate student in the FSU College of Music, she worked as a teaching assistant and applied lesson instructor for five years (2001-2006).  She performed as a member of the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and as a freelance artist. 

SSG Hamm has served as an adjudicator, evaluating performances for the FSU Summer Music Camp Program, the Tri-State Music Festival, and the Florida Band Masters Association.  During her time in Florida, she was active as a music educator and served on the faculties of the First Coast Community Music School, the Florida Conservatory of Music, and the Amelia Arts Academy.

SSG Yesenia Margarita DeJesúsTorres – Bugle Instrumentalist

SSG Yesenia Margarita DeJesúsTorres comes to the Fife and Drum Corps from Southeast Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA, and her Master of Music degree at Louisiana State University. SSG DeJesús is in the process of completing her Doctor of Music in Brass Pedagogy at Indiana University under John Rommel.

SSG DeJesúsmarched with 1996 Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps, and performed at the Centennial Olympics Closing Ceremonies in Atlanta, GA. She also served as the Leadership Coordinator for the Office for Women’s Affairs at Indiana University. While living in Bloomington, IN, she volunteered with the local domestic violence women’s shelter as a rape victim’s advocate to women in emergency care and as support group facilitator for sexual assault survivors.

SSG Jessica Barrows – Fife Instrumentalist

SSG Jessica Barrows was born and raised in Old Saybrook, CT. Growing-up within the fife and drum community, her parents have been active in the art form for over 20 years. Starting at the age of 4, she began fife lessons with the Junior Colonials Fife and Drum Corps, based in Westbrook, CT, and became a member of her parents’ long-time fife and drum corps, the Connecticut Blues, at age 10.  She competed in many Northeastern fife and drum competitions, winning titles in both solo and ensemble competitions.

Throughout high school, SSG Barrows continued to play the flute with the Old Saybrook High School concert band and became 1^st chair flute during her sophomore year. She was also selected to be part of the All-State band during her senior year.

After high school, SSG Barrows attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY where she majored in psychology.

For more information on the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps visit them at www.army.mil/fifeanddrum or check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fifeanddrum