A native of Holbrook, N.Y., Kristine Hsia earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Fredonia in musical theatre.

State University of New York at Fredonia graduate Chief Musician Kristine Hsia is returning to her alma mater with the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rockefeller Arts Center, 1 Symphony Circle, Fredonia, New York. The concert is free and open to the public and is part of a four-stop concert series in Pittsburgh and the greater Rochester area.

A native of Holbrook, N.Y., Kristine Hsia earned a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Fredonia in musical theatre. In 2012 she auditioned for the Navy’s fleet bands. Upon the completion of basic training, she reported to her first duty station aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) as a part of the Navy’s 7th Fleet Band. In 2014 she auditioned for and won a vocalist position with the Commodores jazz ensemble and transferred to Washington, D.C., home of the Navy’s premier musical organization.

This marks the nation’s 250th birthday, giving jazz and big band fans an even greater cause to celebrate a truly American art form. The concert is a family-friendly event, connecting members of the community to their Navy.

“Touring the nation and performing concerts means connecting with communities and telling the great stories of our Sailors working around the globe to keep us safe and free,” said Capt. Robert “Seph” Coats, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Band.

The U.S. Navy Band Commodores perform the best of big band jazz from the World War II swing-era classics by jazz giants Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Thad Jones. The band also highlights the music of legendary vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, as well as unique and exciting original compositions by members of the band.

As the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, the Commodores have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for more than 50 years. Formed in 1969, this 18-member group continues the jazz big band legacy with some of the finest musicians in the world. The Commodores’ mission includes public concerts, national concert tours, jazz education classes and clinics, ceremonial support in honoring our veterans, and protocol performances for high-level military and civilian government officials.

For the most up-to-date concert information, or to hear other performances nearby, visit the band’s event calendar at: https://www.navyband.navy.mil/events

Some facts regarding the U.S. Navy Band include:

— The U.S. Navy Band is the flagship musical organization of the Navy and one of 11 Navy bands located around the world.

— The U.S. Navy Band is based at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington.

— There are six performing ensembles in the Navy Band: the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Sea Chanters chorus, Commodores jazz ensemble, Country Current country/bluegrass ensemble and the Cruisers popular music group.

— Navy bands tour throughout the United States and all over the world. Sailors in Navy bands are full-time professional musicians

— Almost all of the Sailors in the Navy Band have undergraduate degrees in music, and most have graduate degrees.