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Global Strike Lieutenant Colonel and daughter share special talent

  • Published
  • By Maja Z. Stevanovich
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  For one Air Force Global Strike Command officer and his daughter, singing is in the genes.

Lt. Col. Dwayne Hall and his teenage daughter, Madison, recently won first place in the family category of the Air Force's Family and Teen Talent Contest. The pair earned a spot in the Air Force-level competition after placing first at their local "You Got Talent" competition, held at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

Madison, who has received numerous musical academic scholarships, also took third place in the teen solo category singing "Blessed" by Rachel Lampa.

Colonel Hall said people are usually surprised to learn he has a hidden talent for singing. "Usually people say they didn't expect that...I guess I am the Susan Boyle of the Air Force," he said.

"We are a very musical family. Growing up, my mother played piano, my brother played the saxophone and I played the trumpet. We also sang on a local radio show where we grew up," Colonel Hall said. "Music is a big part of our lives and that value has been passed down to my daughter," he said. Colonel Hall is chief of lessons learned division at Global Strike Command here.

Madison has been a rising singing star since a young age. During high school, she was chosen to take part in the honors choir of the annual DoDDS-Europe Honors Music Festival, a highly competitive Department of Defense initiative for musically talented youth.

"Looking back at all the Air Force competitions I've participated in, they were all special in their own way and made me comfortable performing in front of audiences," Madison said.

For the first-place win, Colonel Hall and his daughter sang the ballad "Can I Have This Dance" from the popular High School Musical film.

The Colonel's singing talent has been employed on and off duty as he sings in the church choir, in addition to performing at weddings and official Air Force events.

When co-workers do find out about Colonel Hall's singing ability, he said they are supportive, attending his competitions and cheering him on.

In addition to the Incirlik competition, Colonel Hall and his daughter participated in other Air Force talent challenges at Offutt AFB, Neb., and Peterson AFB, Colo.