08/21/2026
Next in our Sailor Spotlight series is our vocalist, Musician 1st Class Lourdes Rodriguez. In 2025, Rodriguez auditioned and was selected for the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Following recruit training at RTC, Great Lakes, she reported for duty as the vocalist for Electric Brigade, Superintendent’s Combo, and the Wind Ensemble.
Where are you from and what is something you miss/love about your home state?
I am from Hyattsville, MD about 30 minutes away from Annapolis! Something that I love about Maryland and the East coast is that you get to experience every season. Fall and Spring are so beautiful here.
Where did you go to school?
I went to Northwestern High School, Shenandoah Conservatory for my Bachelor of Music, and the University of Maryland for my Masters Degree, both in vocal performance.
Who were your most influential teachers?
My most influential teachers are my two voice teachers during my collegiate years. Dr. Fotina Naumenko at Shenandoah University and Dr. Theresa Rose Bickham at the University of Maryland. They have both been amazing mentors to me over the years, and have seen me grow into a young adult. They are also two of the best vocal pedagogues I have ever met, and their teachings are what led me here to the Naval Academy Band. Dr. Bickham was actually how I found out about the vocalist opening in the band, during a voice lesson.
What is the best advice given to you by a teacher or other professional?
The best advice given to me by a teacher was from my vocal coach at UMD, Professor Steven Bailey. He helped me let go of my perfectionism. I would always try to perform at 100% even when I didn’t feel 100%. The real way to actually be at 100% is to meet yourself where you’re at and to work from there. Otherwise you will overcompensate and burn out.
He would always say, “When in doubt, do the right thing!”
Why did you want to be a vocalist? Who are your favorite vocalists?
I knew when I was 4 or 5 that I wanted to be a vocalist when I first watched Hannah Montana on TV. I still think Miley Cyrus is a fantastic vocalist and songwriter, but my favorite vocalists today are Roberta Flack, Whitney Houston, and Donny Hathaway.
What is your favorite type of music to sing?
My favorite type of music to sing is 70s Soul music. I also love singing Rock and Folk music as well.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of music?
My hobbies include shopping, watching films, listening to music, and traveling!
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life so far?
I am most proud of winning my position at the Naval Academy Band! I had only finished my masters degree about four months before the audition, and I felt so lucky to find a stable job doing what I love. It’s a huge privilege to make music for a living and to work with such talented musicians all the time, all while living 30 minutes away from my family, friends, and church.
If you were not a professional musician, what would you do for a living?
If I was not a musician, I think I would be an Anthropologist. I love learning about human behavior and different cultures and beliefs.
What is an interesting little-known fact about yourself?
An interesting fact about myself is that my parents had the same last name before getting married! My mom is from Colombia and my dad is from Puerto Rico, and their last names have both always been Rodriguez. My full name is Lourdes Marie Rodriguez-Rodriguez.
What is your all-time favorite movie and/or movie soundtrack?
My favorite movie is Little Miss Sunshine!
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
What is your favorite concert that you have attended?
My favorite concert that I’ve ever attended was seeing Judith Halasz sing at the Schönbrunn in Vienna, Austria!
Do you have any advice for musicians wanting to audition for military bands?
Yes! I would say just go into the audition with a good attitude and an open mind. Before I got the job, I had auditioned for different opera companies and it was a completely different experience. It was very professional in the same way, but it was quite warm and welcoming. Getting to know some of the musicians in the band while I was at the audition made it a lot less nerve-wracking. I would also recommend doing a mock audition with friends or teachers before the audition if you can!
