Percussionist Staff Sergeant Mary La Blanc of Mission Viejo, Calif. joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 2024.
Staff Sgt. La Blanc began her musical instruction on percussion at age 10. After graduating in 2018 from Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, Calif, she attended the University of Southern California, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in percussion performance in 2022. She then attended The Juilliard School and completed her master’s in percussion performance in 2024. Staff Sgt. La Blanc’s instructors have included James Babor and Joseph Pereira at the University of Southern California and Daniel Druckman at The Juilliard School.
Prior to joining the band, Staff Sgt. La Blanc was an extra percussionist with the Metropolitan Opera, Talea Ensemble, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony and Long Beach Symphony.
Staff Sgt. La Blanc performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C. area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.