Barksdale Airman sings her way to the top

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joseph Raatz
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  When Airman 1st Class Briér DePriest submitted her audition tape to the 2015 Worldwide Talent Search, she didn't expect to be selected to attend live auditions for the prestigious Tops in Blue, the Air Force's premier touring music group - but she was.

And when DePriest flew to San Antonio to compete in the 10-day audition, she didn't expect to be offered a job as one of Tops in Blues' newest performers - but she was.

"I'm on cloud nine," said DePriest, a client systems technician with the 608th Air Communications Squadron. "I still can't believe it. I've wanted this for so long and I can't believe it's really happening."

More than 60 people were invited to audition, nearly half of whom were female vocalists.

"My heart was racing so fast," DePriest said. "There were so many talented people there and only 10 slots."

Vocalist candidates were required to undergo an in-depth interview and audition in multiple categories, including instrumental, dance and vocal.

While in San Antonio, some candidates took their skills to local charities to perform for the sick or disabled. DePriest and a few other vocalists visited children at the Fisher House on Joint Base San Antonio, which provides aid and free lodging to military families in need.

After finishing her auditions, DePriest flew back to Barksdale to wait for the news.

"It was nerve-wracking," she said. "If you're selected, they call your commander, who'll come and tell you. I kept seeing people on Facebook post about being selected and I just kept counting the slots left open. It was a long couple of days."

When DePriest's commander presented her with the news, she couldn't wait to tell her family and friends.

"I called my mom and dad immediately," DePriest said. "I was so excited. I called my friends and my vocal teachers and told them too. It was awesome."

DePriest will attend a two-month training program in San Antonio to learn the musical numbers and practice her talents. At the end of the two months she'll tour with Tops in Blue for 10 months, visiting bases around the globe and performing for countless Airmen and their families.

"I'm just so happy and excited," DePriest said. "It's really a dream come true."