Grace Ishikawa is living proof that you don’t have to choose between your passions; your life is filled with endless possibilities that you make.
A former Ben Davis student, now a beloved CHC teacher, is a proud member of the 38th infantry Division Band – the only military band in the state of Indiana. She has come a long way from being a student here, and is quite inspirational to those who may or may not follow her footsteps.

Her journey hasn’t been simple. Becoming an Aarmy musician isn’t any easy task. Like every other soldier, Ishikawa endured 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT) followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in her military occupational specialty. This is only a small portion of the effort she had to put in to be where she is now, not to mention all of the schooling not only for her music career, but for her teaching career as well.
Her role in the 38th Infantry Division Band is more than music, it’s morale. Whether she is performing for deployed soldiers in tough environments, comforting families and friends, or putting in the effort to uplift veterans, Ishikawa and her fellow band members are a huge part of this community as well as other communities.
One weekend a month and two weeks during the summer, they have the opportunity to tour Indiana, this year being the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. This summer’s tour runs July 2-9, beginning at the Strand Theatre and ending at the Greenwood Amphitheatre. Not only do people get to go and listen to them play, but they get to do that for free. (With the exception of the Star-Spangled Symphony, as they are the only pre-show for the Indianapolis Orchestra’s main performance.)
Although she has excelled in her band career, she wasn’t always sure this is where her path would lead. She did not start off her career in this band, in fact it wasn’t until she had already become a teacher when she began to ask herself, “why not”? In high school, watching military musicians planted a seed in her heart, she had no idea you could do both. At that time, she allowed her dream to fade, but never let it leave. Grace refused to live with that regret, and took the leap leading to where she is today. A profound teacher and Military Musician. Today, she is thriving in what she calls “the best jobs in the world.”
In high school, Ishikawa was a drum major her senior year and also was named the high school photographer of the year by Columbia Scholastic Press Association. She also was in the top 30 of her graduating class.
Ishikawa has been teaching for seven years, but she’s more than a teacher — she is a symbol for people’s dreams coming to life.
Not only has she got to experience all parts of Indianapolis, but she has explored France in High School through the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Language (IUHPFL), fully immersing herself in culture and language. Later during college, she completed half of her student teaching in New Zealand. Most people in their lifetime can’t venture out of their own country, so to expand her worldview and perspective is a beautiful privilege that she gets to incorporate into her day to day life.
She is a shining example of what it means to live life with passion, and purpose. She’s learned not to overstress about the future, a trap many people, especially young people fall susceptible to.
“Enjoy every day of life as it happens,” Ishikawa said of her life philosophy.
Ishikawa has proven you don’t have to choose one dream, you can choose to live them all.