Meet the Musician
Lieutenant Luslaida Barbosa,
Concert/Ceremonial Department Head
Lt. Luslaida Barbosa was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and raised in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. In 1996, she graduated from Dra. Conchita Cuevas High School in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
Upon completion of recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois and the Basic Music Course, Naval School of Music, Virginia Beach, Virginia, she reported to the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, Yokosuka, Japan in 1997, performing as clarinetist and saxophonist in the show band “Far East Edition” and popular music group “Orient Express,” where she deployed aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
In August 2000, Barbosa reported to Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida. She served as unit leader for the music group “Pride” and travel coordinator while performing as clarinetist, vocalist, and saxophonist with the wind ensemble, ceremonial band, and jazz ensemble in performances throughout the Southeastern United States.
In January 2006, she returned to the Naval School of Music to attend the Unit Leader Course. After graduation, she reported to the Allied Forces Band Naples, Italy, where she became a “plank owner” of the newly-formed 75-member unit, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band. While traveling throughout the European and African theaters of operation, she served as leading petty officer, unit leader for the popular musical groups “Topside” and “Flagship,” and as ceremonial band conductor.
In January 2009, she returned to the U.S. 7th Fleet Band and, while deployed in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2009, was promoted to chief petty officer. Her duties included operations coordinator, leading chief petty officer, ceremonial band conductor and drum major while also performing as lead vocalist and clarinet instrumentalist for performances throughout the Western Pacific in support of Commander U.S. 7th Fleet’s Theater Security Cooperation Mission. During her last deployment with USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) she was selected for commissioning as a limited duty officer bandmaster.
After commissioning in May 2012, she was assigned to the Naval School of Music as training officer. She reported to the U.S. Navy Band in July 2014 and is currently serving as the Concert/Ceremonial Band department head.
Her personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), as well as the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification. She holds a Bachelor of Humanities from Thomas Edison State College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of both the Unit Leader and the Senior Musician Courses.
