Musician 1st Class (Surface Warfare) Brian Nefferdorf, a native of Philadelphia, PA, earned his bachelor's degree in music performance from Philadelphia's University Of The Arts in 2000.

He entered the Navy a month later, and upon completion of recruit training at RTC Great Lakes, he reported to the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA. In April 2001, he reported for duty at Navy Band New Orleans where he was promoted to Musician Second Class and served as the Unit Leader of the popular music ensemble Big Easy. In 2005 he received orders to the Pacific Fleet Band, Pearl Harbor, HI, and served as Unit Leader of the popular music ensemble "Hang Ten," traveling to the countries of Malaysia, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. He was promoted to the rank of Musician First Class in 2007, and in 2009, Petty Officer Nefferdorf transferred to the forward deployed U.S. Seventh Fleet Band and earned his Enlisted Surface Warrior Qualification. He currently serves as Leading Petty Officer and Unit Leader of the Far East Edition showband, embarked on board the United States SEVENTH Fleet flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19).

MU1(SW) Nefferdorf's awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and the Meritorious Unit Commendation (one award).