A native of the Seattle area, Lt. Cmdr. Cornette studied Horn Performance with Jeff Snedeker at Central Washington University. While there, he was recruited by the Director of the 560th Air National Guard Band and served for two years as their principal hornist before securing a conditional release from the Air Force to join the Navy in 1997.

After tours as an instrumentalist with Atlantic Fleet Band and Sixth Fleet Band he attended the Unit Leader Course at the Naval School of Music and graduated top of his class. He went on to serve as the Leading Petty Officer, Ceremonial Conductor, Drum Major, and principal hornist for Navy Band Southwest.

He was then selected to be the Navy Music Program Auditions Coordinator at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-4014), the office that later became Fleet Band Activities. While there, he was initiated as a Chief Petty Officer in 2009 and returned to the Naval School of Music to complete the Senior Musician Course.

After a brief tour as the Leading Chief Petty Officer of Navy Band Mid-South, he was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer Bandmaster and completed successful tours as the Assistant Director of U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, Staff and Specialty Groups Department Head at U.S. Navy Band, and Director of Navy Band Northwest before assuming his current position as the Director of Navy Band Great Lakes.

Last Updated: 24 March 2023