Staff Sergeant Shaina Rush, a Colorado Springs native and UNCO McNair alumni, played at the Pass in Review and Parade Across America which took place at President Biden's Inaugural Ceremony. SSG Rush, a member of the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drums Corps, is a fife musician, public affairs/ social media manager, and equal opportunity leader for her unit. She also serves in other capacities for the US Military District of Washington such as playing for White House arrivals and presidential ceremonies. Apart from her day job, SSG Rush is the US instructor for Australian flute lesson company, "The Flute Coach". As if these accomplishments and responsibilities were not impressive enough, she engages in outreach at local schools and writes for flute publications around the country.
SSG Rush has been putting the skills and knowledge she gained as a McNair scholar and graduate student to good use as she has been conducting field research on African American fife and drum musicians during the Revolutionary War. SSG Rush is set to publish her findings in the The Flutist Quarterly, the official publication for The National Flute Association.
SSG Rush is the epitome of a McNair scholar and there is no doubt that she will continue to accomplish great things!
