Commandant
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CSM Alexis Sprakties
Commandant
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CSM Alexis Sprakties has performed and taught French Horn all over the world both as a civilian and as an Active-Duty Army Musician. She received a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 2000 and a Master of Music from Mannes College of Music in New York City in 2002 where she was the recipient of the New York Brass Conference Scholarship. While in New York City, she performed with many shows, orchestras, chamber groups and as a soloist for several soundtracks for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). She also played in several overseas orchestras before moving to Colorado to pursue a Doctoral Degree and assume the position of Assistant Instructor of Horn at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She continues to perform regularly and serves as guest clinician at colleges around the country. She has performed most recently with the Orchestra of Northern New York and the Virginia Symphony where she performed on a CD released in 2013.
Since enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2005, CSM Sprakties has served with the 113th Army Band Ft. Knox, KY, The Eight Army Band, Korea, The Army School of Music, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story, where she served as Senior Instructor, and the 77th Army Band, Fort Sill, OK and 10th Mountain Division Band, Fort Drum, NY where she where she served as First Sergeant. She also served as Sergeant Major with the Training and Doctrine Command Band. She currently serves as the Commandant of the Army Bands Noncommissioned Officers Academy.
Her military education includes: The Sergeants Major Academy where she received Commandants List, Faculty Development Phase 1, Senior Leader Course where she was the recipient of the Distinguished Leader Award, Army Basic Instructor Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course, Cadre Training Course, SHARP Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Advanced Leader Course, and Basic Leader Course.
Her military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Volunteer Service Medal, and Senior Instructor Badge. In addition, she was the 2016 AG Corps Senior NCO of the Year and a recipient of the Iron Pen Award in 2023.
CSM Sprakties is a competitive runner, certified running coach, and avid skier. She is married to MSG (Ret.) Robert Sprakties and proud mother to 15-year-old son, William.
Deputy Commandant
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MSG Phillip Andrew
Deputy Commandant
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MSG Andrew grew up in the small town of Andover Connecticut. He joined the Army as a 42R in July of 2002 and during his service, earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He served with the 434th Army Band at Fort Gordon, Georgia; The 3rd Infantry Division Band at Fort Stewart, Georgia; Two tours with the 283rd Army Band at Fort Moore, Georgia; The U.S. Army Japan Band at Camp Zama, Japan; The 98th Army Band at Fort Novosel, Alabama; The 8th Army Band in Seoul, South Korea; The 56th Army Band at JBLM, Washington; As a SLC SGL at the USASOM at JEBLC-FS, Virginia; and most recently as the 1SG for the 10th Mountain Division Band at Fort Drum, New York. MSG Andrew is married to Debi Andrew and has two children, of which he is very proud.
SLC Small Group Leader
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SFC Mara Snowman
SLC Small Group Leader
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SFC Mara Snowman is a euphonium player originally from Bucksport, Maine. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, and enlisted in the army in 2012. SFC Snowman’s duty assignments include the United States Army Japan Band (Camp Zama, Japan), the Army Materiel Command Band (Redstone Arsenal, AL), 399th Army Band (Fort Leonard Wood, MO), and the 56th Army Band (Fort Lewis, WA). She is currently stationed at the US Army School of Music (Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, VA) where she serves as Senior Leader Course Small Group Leader. SFC Snowman is married to SFC Rob Manning, and they have two beautiful children. She enjoys hiking, camping, and being outside with her family.
SLC Small Group Leader
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SFC Leanne Raley
SLC Small Group Leader
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SFC Leanne Raley is a flute player originally from Arlington, Texas. She enlisted in the Army in 2003 and has since been stationed at the 56th Army Band (Fort Lewis, Washington), the 2d Infantry Division Band (Camp Red Cloud, Korea), the 1st Cavalry Division Band (Fort Cavazos, Texas), the Army Materiel Command Band (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland), the 8th Army Band (Seoul, Korea), the 77th Army Band (Fort Sill, Oklahoma), the 323d Army Band (Fort Sam Houston, Texas), and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band (Fort Eustis, Virginia). SFC Raley's civilian education includes an AS in Mathematics, a BS in Accounting, and an MS in Accounting (Taxation). In her spare time, SFC Raley enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and dog. She also enjoys lifting weights, running, and drinking coffee.
SLC Small Group Leader
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SFC Clint Valnes
SLC Small Group Leader
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SFC Clint C. Valnes, from Sisseton, South Dakota, enlisted in the Army in 2008 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC. He attended Advanced Individual Training at the US Army School of Music, and upon graduation was awarded the MOS 42R9E, Trombone Player.
His duty assignments include: 82nd Airborne Division Band, Ft. Bragg NC; 1st Corps Band, Joint Base Lewis McChord WA; 77th Army Band Ft. Sill, OK; 1st Corps Band, Joint Base Lewis McChord WA; 399th Army Band Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He is currently stationed at the US Army School of Music NCO Academy, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, where he serves as a Senior Leader Course Small Group Leader.
SFC Valnes’ military education includes the Common Faculty Development – Instructor Course, Cadre Training Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Senior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Bus Driver's Course, and Basic Leader Course.
SFC Valnes has toured the nation with multiple Army ensembles as well as serving 13 months in Afghanistan from 2009-2010 with the 82nd Airborne Division Band. He currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his wife, Candice, of 15 years, and their 11-year-old son, Eric.
ALC Small Group Leader
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SSG Lance Boston
ALC Small Group Leader
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SSG Lance Boston is from Pineville, Louisiana. He is a clarinetist (9J) and holds a secondary ASI as a saxophonist (9L). He enlisted into the Army in 2016 and has been stationed at the 399th Army band (Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri), United States Army Japan Band (Camp Zama, Japan), and is currently serving at the US Army School of Music (Virginia Beach, Virginia) as an Advanced Leader Course Small Group Leader.
SSG Boston holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Music Education from University of Southeastern Oklahoma. His military training education includes Master Resilience Training, Advance Leader Course, Basic Leader Course, Field Sanitation, and Combat Life Saver Training.
His hobbies are skateboarding, fishing, and woodworking. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
ALC Small Group Leader
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SSG Robert Chambers
ALC Small Group Leader
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SSG Charles Robert Chambers was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia and received a Bachelor of Business Administration – Management and a Minor in Music from the University of Georgia. After enlisting in the Army in 2017, he served with the 1st Infantry Division Band (Ft. Riley, Kansas), the USAREUR-AF Band and Chorus (Sembach, Germany), and the US Army School of Music (Virginia Beach, Virginia), where he currently serves as Advanced Leader Course Small Group Leader.
SSG Chambers’ military education includes the USASOM Common Faculty Development – Instructor Course, Air Assault Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, and Combat Lifesaver Course. Aside from practicing and performing on his primary ASI (9B – Trumpet), SSG Chambers enjoys various outdoor activities (running, hiking, camping), traveling, lifting weights, watching movies, and reading.
ALC Small Group Leader
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SFC Megan L. Grieder
ALC Small Group Leader
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SFC Megan L. Grieder, from Oak Ridge, New Jersey, enlisted in the Army in 2013 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She attended Advanced Individual Training at the US Army School of Music, and upon graduation as the Distinguished Honor Graduate, was awarded the MOS 42R9J, Clarinet Player.
Her duty assignments include: 1st Armored Division Band, Fort Bliss, Texas; 282D Army Band, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; as Senior Drill Sergeant at the 3rd Battalion 60th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She is currently stationed at the US Army School of Music NCO Academy, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia where she serves as Advanced Leader Course Small Group Leader.
SFC Grieder’s military education includes the Drill Sergeant Academy, Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course, Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Senior Leader Course (Superior Academic Achievement), Advanced Leader Course, Basic Leader Course (Iron Soldier), Unit Safety Officer Course, Range Safety Officer Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, and Field Sanitation Course.
SFC Grieder holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from The Hartt School of Music, at the University of Hartford, in Hartford, Connecticut.