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Scott Airman selected for Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill --  What started as a young fourth grader playing the tuba has now led to a young Airman becoming part of the Air Force's entertainment showcase team.

Airman 1st Class Timothy Sentz, 375th Communications Squadron client systems technician, was recently notified of his selection to be part of the 2012 Tops in Blue tour.
Following his tuba-playing days, Sentz further engaged with music while he attended high school in Buffalo, N.Y.

"Music is the best way I can express myself," said Sentz. "Writing music is my release."

After high school, Sentz earned his bachelor's degree in music business from The State University of New York-Fredonia.

"I joined the Air Force because it was a way for me to serve, like my grandfather and brother, and I could finish my master's degree," said Sentz.

Last year, Sentz was a contestant at Scott Air Force Base's Icon, where he placed third. Being the only active duty winner, he progressed onto Air Mobility Command Icon.

"I didn't place, but a guy running the program, who was a former Tops in Blue member, told me to send a video audition in," said Sentz.

Based off of his video, Sentz was selected to go to Lackland AFB, Texas, January 8-17, where his audition consisted of a personal interview, vocals, instrumental, specialties, such as acting, and performance. At the end of the auditions, Sentz earned second place in the vocal, self-accompanied category, for singing while playing his guitar.

Just last week, Sentz's leadership here informed him that he would be leaving Scott to be part of Tops in Blue for the next year.

"I was at a complete loss for words. I got a knot in my stomach and my knees were shaking, it still hasn't set in," said Sentz about how he felt after he was congratulated. "I called my mom right after work, now she will probably be calling relatives the rest of the week."

Sentz has to report to Lackland AFB March 15 where he will spend two months learning the ropes. Tops in Blue is a self-sustaining production, not only does the crew perform, but they also set-up and tear down roughly 60,000 pounds of equipment for every show. Then he will spend 11 months touring.

"I'm excited, I'm going to get to see a lot of things and go places and to be able to give back to troops," said Sentz. "To be honest, when I joined the Air Force, I thought it meant I would be giving up music, but now the Air Force is furthering my career. I have gone farther in my music career than ever before."

After his tour with Tops in Blue ends, Sentz plans on earning a master's degree in music promotions while continuing to work in his current career field.