Marlisa Woods

Marlisa del Cid Woods began studying the violin at age four through the Suzuki method. Born in Honduras, she was raised in the DC Area and continued her musical training during high school through the National Symphony Youth Fellowship Program and the American Youth Philharmonic. She joined The U.S. Army Band "Pershing’s Own" in 2000 upon completion of her master’s and bachelor’s degrees with academic honors from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Woods is currently the Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Band. Prior to this appointment, Woods served as Stroll Leader and Concertmaster of the U.S. Army Orchestra, leading performances for National and International heads of state and our Nation’s top government and military leadership. She can be seen performing as soloist on The U.S. Army Band’s YouTube channel. She also performs bluegrass, folk, and country fiddle in a specialty group within The U.S. Army Band called Country Roads, which has delighted audiences of over 2 million in live performances and on YouTube. Woods has performed with some of the world’s finest ensembles including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, has appeared as concertmaster and soloist with the Alexandria Symphony, and as frequent soloist with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra. Woods has a special passion for early music, and has performed with the Thirteen, has performed and recorded with Bach Sinfonia and Apollo’s Fire, has led as Concertmaster and Principal Second of the National Cathedral Orchestra, and has performed as soloist and concertmaster with the Washington Bach Consort. Woods can be heard on the Eclectra, Lyrichord, and Dorian labels.