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Air Force band Yuma and Kyrgyz share culture through music

  • Published
  • By 376 AEW/PA
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC --  The United States Air Force Band Yuma, also known in the U.S. as Max Impact, played ten concerts in the Kyrgyz Republic during an eight-day tour Sept. 4-11.

Yuma is a 5-person band that fuses elements of contemporary music from today's hip-hop, pop and urban sounds - and everything in between. During their performances, they covered such well-known bands and artists as Destiny's Child, Maroon 5, Christina Aguilera and Jimmy Hendrix, not to mention original works of the band itself.

Their visit to Manas AB included multiple performances at a number of schools, orphanages and other venues in the local Kyrgyz communities.

During a trip to the Bishkek Music College, it was clear from the first soulful notes of the Black Eyed Peas smash hit, Let's Get It Started, that Yuma's lead vocalist, Master Sgt. Regina Coonrod, could belt out any song and paint a smile across the audience.

There was a similar reaction to the feeling you get in your spine when you hear a song, love the beat, and know every word; you start to bop with it. The nearly 100 Kyrgyz students at the music college hollered every verse and clapped their hands to the rhythm.

Their excitement wasn't too surprising since the crowd consisted of teenage music school students. What was more surprising was the reaction at the concert at the Bishkek School for the Deaf.

The Washington D.C. based band entertained more than 150 students, all either partially or fully deaf. These children especially enjoy rap and Latin American songs, not because they knew the words, but because they could feel the heavy beats. Vibrations of the drums and riffs from the bass guitar fueled these youngsters, and provided some heart wrenching moments for the band members.

Vocalist Master Sgt. Ryan Carson brought up children so they could feel the music drumming out though the speakers and into their hands.

"The students were surprisingly more responsive compared to most of our audiences," said Sergeant Coonrod. "The kids were really into the music; they were all up singing and dancing to the beats and vibrations."

"This is all the kids have talked about for weeks," said Ms. Karpeova Dinara, Senior Educator for the deaf center's preparatory school. "And this is all they will talk about for weeks after they leave. It really was a big occasion for them."
The largest audience of any performance on the trip was at the Nizhanchiusk Orphanage, with approximately 350 excited children all wearing their nicest suits and dresses. The well behaved children sat quietly in anticipation until Sergeant Carson broke the ice with a high energy medley that brought them all to their feet and out to dance.

The children had loads of fun dancing and playing instruments with the band, but were sure to respect their teachers' instructions and return to their chairs after each song. Several bashful young boys also took a liking to Sergeant Coonrod while she sat close amongst them and sang sweetly to each of them.

While Yuma made a huge impact in the hearts of the young Kyrgyz children they entertained, they also boosted the morale of more than 1,000 Airmen and servicemembers at Manas whenever they took to the stage at Pete's Place.

"I was very pleased to see the positive impact the band had on the morale of the troops at Manas, and was especially thrilled to see their impact in the Kyrgyz community," said Chief Master Sgt. Barbara Taylor, Air Forces Central Band Superintendent, who accompanied Yuma on their visit. "I wish I could take all these children home with me."

As the members of Yuma proceed on to other locations, trips and concerts, they will leave a long lasting impression that continues to strengthen the partnership of Manas Air Base and the local Kyrgyz people.