Trombonist Staff Sergeant Katie Franke of Falls Church, Va. joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in October 2023. She is the first female trombonist in the Marine Band’s history.

Staff Sgt. Franke began her musical instruction on trombone at age 9 and graduated in 2016 from Justice High School in Falls Church, Va. She earned a bachelor’s degree in trombone performance from Indiana University in 2020 and a master's degree in trombone performance from The New England Conservatory of Music in 2022. Her instructors included Craig Mulcahy of the National Symphony Orchestra, Peter Ellefson of Indiana University and Stephen Lange of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Prior to joining the band, Staff Sgt. Franke substituted with the Houston Symphony, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, and the New Mexico Philharmonic. She was also a private teacher in Houston, Texas.

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