Maxwell rising star heads to Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Joy Ovington
  • Air University Public Affairs
A Maxwell Air Force Base Airman was recently selected as one of 31 "ambassadors" of music, vocals and dance in the U.S. Air Force's premiere performing troupe, Tops in Blue.

Airman 1st Class Tarryn Holyfield, a bioenvironmental engineering apprentice in the 42nd Medical Group, will have brought America's unique brand of culture and entertainment to more than 120 locations in the U.S. and 10 foreign countries by the end of the 2009 tour.

Airman Holyfield firmly believes in what Tops in Blue has to offer.

"I've been in an audience filled with military families, and I've seen the looks in their eyes and felt the warmth in their hearts from their appreciation of the commitment of the members of Tops in Blue," she said. "Being a member of Tops in Blue takes a huge amount of personal sacrifice, and one could not touch the lives of others if their heart wasn't completely in it."

Tops in Blue has a vital mission in Airman Holyfield's eyes.

"Tops in Blue raises morale amongst deployed troops and families displaced because of a deployed loved one," she said. "During the months of July and August, the 2009 Tops in Blue team will spend a significant amount of time in [deployed locations], where it matters the most."

Airman Holyfield's supervisor, Staff Sgt. Cory C. Thompson, noncommissioned officer in charge of readiness and response, is also excited about her having been chosen.

"Airman Holyfield is a great asset and a vital member to the Bioenvironmental Engineering team," Sergeant Thompson said. "She has accomplished so much in the short time that she has been here. Her work ethic and great personality will be missed as she begins another chapter in her Air Force career. We look forward to hearing all the great stories when she returns."

Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Alabama State University, the 25-year-old old hails from Columbus, Ga., and is no stranger to the stage.

She began singing in her church choir when she was five. She's also a trained dancer and has performed with the Alabama State University Dramatic Guild.

"When I was in tech school back in 2007, my instructors heard me sing and encouraged me to audition. I finally got enough guts to just do it," she said.

Airman Holyfield submitted her package, consisting of her talent résumé, audition tape and a letter of commitment to the Air Force Services Agency Entertainment Branch in San Antonio. There, a team of entertainment professionals selected participants for the Worldwide Talent Contest held at Lackland Air Force Base.

"From the video packages we all sent in, they selected 80 applications out of 450 to come and compete," Airman Holyfield said. "I was selected for that, and 80 of us went, and we competed for 10 days,"

This included a wide variety of rehearsals, auditions, seminars and technical training.

There were five separate auditions and they all performed in a show together, as well.

"After the auditions I got back to the base, and a day later I found out I had made the team on Jan. 22," she said. "Now I have about six weeks to prepare to leave for Lackland, the 'Home of Tops in Blue.' We've got 45 days of training from mid-March until the end of April before we head out."

Airman Holyfield's love for music came from her mother and husband, who are also musically-oriented, she said. Her husband plays the euphonium, which is a band and orchestral horn, and her mother is both a trained pianist and a vocalist. She says that's where her passion for music came from.

"I've even tried to mimic her singing style on several occasions," she said. "When she found out that I'd made the 2009 Tops in Blue tour, her words were, 'Honey, you are living your mother's dream!'"

Touring with Tops in Blue means a long separation from her husband.

"I will be gone for a whole year on permissive temporary duty," Airman Holyfield said. "So the only time he'll get a chance to see me is if he comes to one of my shows."

Holyfield said she'd definitely be back to Maxwell sometime later this year.

"They actually try to get to every single base in the United States," she said. "We may not be able to hit every base abroad, but we'll definitely be at all the bases in the U.S. Come see us!"

According to Airman Holyfield, there is a large degree of confidence, professionalism, and increased pride that coincides with being a member of Tops in Blue. "I'm thankful to be afforded the opportunity to become a part of something far greater than I," she said.

Airman Holyfield admits she could not have done this herself, but with the help of her family, fellow Airmen and friends she was able to accomplish her goal.

For 2009 tour schedules, details on how to join next year's team and other information, contact Air Force Entertainment at (210) 652-6566 or visit www.topsinblue.com.