Rodney Allen-Simmons has a B.S. in Music Education from the Indiana State University School of Music, and an M.M. in Violin Performance from the West Chester University School of Music. He was concertmaster of the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra for 8 years (1999-2006 seasons). He is a freelance violinist in the Baltimore metro area. He is a retired Staff Sergeant, having served for 20 years with the 287th Army Band and Orchestra. He performed with the Band in South America, Europe, and the Virgin Islands. He received 23 ribbons and 17 medals with the 287th Army Band in combat support with other band units in the following conflicts: Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. Mr. Allen has been a music teacher with the Baltimore City Public Schools for 25 years. He has been married to Belinda P. Allen for 28 years. They have three children: Timothy Lee Allen, Bartholomew Von Allen, and Sonata Joy Allen.