Keesler Airman named to Tops in Blue

Published March 3, 2010
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Almost 26 years of singing have paid off for Airman 1st Class Hansil Jules, who learned Feb. 17 that he had been selected as a member of the 2010 Air Force Tops in Blue unit. He begins rehearsals Monday for the 2010 tour that starts in late May.

Airman Jules, a dental technician with the 81st Dental Squadron here, auditioned for the group Jan. 17-26 at San Antonio's Lackland AFB.

The classically-trained singer from New York City said he's been singing all his life.
"My mom said I started singing at 2 years, even before I talked," he observed.

The 28-year-old Airman trained in opera at New York's School of Performing Arts and then studied performance arts at City College of New York. He's two semesters away from obtaining a degree, having taken courses at the University of Southern Mississippi last semester.

Airman Jules noted that a major factor motivating him to enlist in the Air Force was the opportunity to one day audition for Tops in Blue, an all-active duty Air Force special unit made up of talented amateur performers selected for their entertainment abilities.
"New York is tough for an artist," he said. "It's also very expensive to live there. I couldn't save any money.

"I decided to join the Air Force and serve with the God-given talent I have."

He's served for a little over two years now, the past 18 months at Keesler.

The talented Airman said he doesn't limit his music only to opera. He also has sung gospel as well as rhythm and blues.

Airman Jules was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Mississippi Gulf Coast community enjoys opera. He has been involved in a number of musical programs around the Coast, including the Gulf Coast Opera, a performance of "Oliver Twist" at the Saenger Theater and the Gulf Coast Messiah Association.

He recently sang for a Greater Mississippi Boys and Girls Club function in Moss Point and the Italian-American Association in Baton Rouge, La. He's performed the National Anthem at a number of official base functions as well.

Airman Jules will spend the next year touring the world. Preparation for the program is arduous. He had a taste of it during the 10 days of auditions in January, waking at around 5 a.m. and going to bed late at night.

However, he termed it a wonderful experience, noting, "I met so many great people!"
Now the hard work begins. He expects rehearsals to go on practically seven days a week until the tour begins.

Cast members also act as stage hands, setting up equipment prior to each show. In addition to singing, he'll have to learn dance moves.

"I've always wanted to learn to dance but I never had the money," he said.

"Finally, I get to learn for free!"

Airman Jules mentioned he's the only member of his family with any singing ability -- his mother, brother and two sisters don't share his talent.

His brother is in the Army, stationed at Fort Know, Ky. His mother and sisters reside in New York.