Bay State Winds

The Bay State Winds is one of the newer chamber ensembles of the United States Air Force Band of Liberty. This clarinet ensemble, comprised of members of the Liberty Pops, provides musical support for a wide variety of military and civilian functions, and performs regularly with the Chamber Winds ensemble. The group?s repertoire includes a diverse collection of musical idioms ranging from baroque to Broadway and incorporates its own original arrangements.

Personnel

Staff Sergeant Richard LaCroix (Noncommissioned Officer-In-Charge),hails from Arlington, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance in 1995 from the University of Texas in Austin. As a student, he studied with Richard MacDowell, won scholarship competitions sponsored by both Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Sigma Alpha Iota, and earned recognition on the dean's list. Staff Sergeant LaCroix performed and toured with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, conducted by Jerry Junkin, and The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Timothy Muffit. From 1987-1989, he participated in summer musical activities at Brevard Music Festival, where he studied with Steven Cohen. He also studied with Shannon Scott at Eastern Music Festival in 1993 and 1994, where he performed with several orchestral and chamber music groups. Staff Sergeant LaCroix received his first duty assignment to the United States Air Force Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts in April of 1997. He performs with the Concert Band, the Bay State Winds, and the Ceremonial Marching Band. In addition to his musical abilities, he has served as Lodging Coordinator, Operations Clerk, Supply Custodian and Squadron Vehicle Operator, and he is currently the Operations Representative and NCOIC for the Bay State Winds. His military awards and decorations include the John L. Levitow and Academic Achievement awards during Airman Leadership School, and the Air Force Organizational Excellence and Commendation medals. As an airman he has received the Hanscom AFB Chiefs Group "Sharpshooter Award," an honor given to an airman whose military appearance is extraordinarily sharp and work ethic is exceptional. With a constant desire to stay active, Sergeant LaCroix enjoys racquetball, biking, hiking and running. He is involved in martial arts and has achieved the rank of Black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Airman First Class Matthew Ayala, a native of Toa Alta, PR is a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band of Liberty's Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and Bay State Winds. Airman Ayala received a Bachelor's Degree from University of Puerto Rico 2002, majoring in Music Education. Prior to his military service, Airman Ayala was a conductor, studio and freelance saxophonist with many popular music ensembles in Puerto Rico and a clarinetist with the Honor Band of Puerto Rico. His musical teachers include Hector Pantojas and Robert Handschuh. Airman Ayala enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 2001 and received his first assignment with the United States Air Force Band of the West, Lackland AFB, Texas and has been part of the United Air Force Band of Liberty since September 2005. His hobbies and interests include reading, music composition, travel, golf, and cooking.

Airman First Class Mickey Ireland, a native of Plymouth, New Hampshire, is a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band of Liberty's Concert Band, Ceremonial Band and Bay State Winds. Airman Ireland is a 1997 graduate of Plymouth Regional High School in Plymouth, New Hampshire. He went on to study music at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, where he was the recipient of the President's Scholarship and a member of the Oracle Society. In 2001, Airman Ireland graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Performance. Beginning in 2002, he went on to pursue graduate studies in clarinet performance at Michigan State University, receiving a Master's Degree and being inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society in 2004. Prior to enlisting in the Air Force, Airman Ireland performed with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra in East Lansing, Michigan, the West Shore Symphony in Muskegon, Michigan, the Battle Creek Symphony in Battle Creek, Michigan, as well as with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and Ithaca Opera Association, both in Ithaca, New York. Airman Ireland's principal teachers have been Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr of Michigan State University and Michael Galván of Ithaca College. He has also had the privilege to study with Charles Neidich of the Julliard School, Theodore Oien of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Richard Faria of Ithaca College. Airman Ireland enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 2005 and received his initial assignment to Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts as a clarinetist with the Band of Liberty. His hobbies include adventuresome cooking, fine wines and spirits, traveling and hiking.

Airman First Class Ian Tyson, a native of Naperville, IL is a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Band of Liberty's Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and Bay State Winds. Airman Tyson received a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University (OH) in 2002, majoring in both Music Performance and Music Education. He then went on to earn a Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from Michigan State University in 2003. Prior to his military service, Airman Tyson has performed with the Classical Symphony Orchestra in Chicago, IL; the National Festival Orchestra in New York, NY; Orchestre de Chambre du Festival d'Echternach in Luxembourg; Middletown Symphony Orchestra in Middletown, OH; and the Salem Philharmonic Orchestra in Salem, MA. Airman Tyson was also a solo performer at the Orford Festival in Canada. His musical teachers include Michèle Gingras and Frank Ell. Airman Tyson enlisted in the United States Air Force in May 2005 and received his first assignment with the United States Air Force Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts. His hobbies and interests include travel, tennis, and cooking.