Clarinet player Staff Sergeant Samuel Ross of Russellville, Ark., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in September 2018.

Staff Sgt. Ross began his musical training on piano at age 8, percussion at 11, and clarinet at 15. After graduating in 2003 from Russellville High School, he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance in 2007. He continued his studies at the University of North Texas in Denton where he earned a master’s degree in clarinet performance in 2009 and studied with John Scott. He has also studied with Yehuda Gilad of the University of Southern California and Gregory Raden of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Staff Sgt. Ross served with the West Point Band at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., from 2012-18, where he also performed with the Academy Wind Quintet. In addition, he has performed with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little Rock; and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and Lone Star Wind Orchestra, both in Texas. Staff Sgt. Ross also taught privately in the Lewisville, Texas, school district for four years.

Staff Sgt. Ross performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.