Assistant Principal Clarinetist Gunnery Sergeant Kristin Bowers of Downers Grove, Ill., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2017. She was appointed to assistant principal in July 2023.

Gunnery Sgt. Bowers began her musical training on clarinet at age 10. After graduating in 2002 from Downers Grove North High School, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington where she earned a bachelor’s degree in clarinet performance in 2006 and studied with Howard Klug. In 2008, she earned master’s degree in clarinet performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and studied with Steve Cohen of Northwestern and Lawrie Bloom of the Chicago Symphony.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Gunnery Sgt. Bowers performed with the South Bend Symphony in Indiana and served as principal clarinet in the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., from 2011-17.

Gunnery Sgt. Bowers 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.