SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (DVIDS) - How many people get to see their dreams come true? Seeing that happen takes strong ambition and persistence.

Ever since seeing Tops in Blue for the first time when he was in seventh grade, Airman 1st Class Matthew Flores of Spanaway has been pursuing the dream of being in the show.

Since 1953, Tops in Blue has been one of mostly widely traveled entertainment groups in existence. Composed of some of the most talented amateur vocalists, musicians, dancers and technicians in the Air Force, its primary purpose is to perform for military personnel and their families around the world. Throughout their history they have appeared in a variety of venues such as the Ed Sullivan Show, Boyz II Men concerts, Super Bowl XIX and several NASCAR races.

Today, Flores is a vocalist for Tops in Blue. On stage, his energy electrifies the audience, as he smiles from ear-to-ear and brings together the entire cast during the group numbers.

"Without a doubt, he's proved himself worthy of being in Tops in Blue through his energy, positivity, and the way he brings everyone up on stage," said Mindy Cameron, Tops in Blue tour manager.

Music has always played a major part of his life, said Flores. He began by picking up the violin as a fourth grader and continued playing in orchestra through eighth grade. In seventh grade, the same year he first saw Tops in Blue, his school choir teacher overheard him singing and persuaded him to join the choir, causing a turning point in his musical interests. As a sophomore in high school he began polishing his talent by taking classes for singing, dancing and acting.

He furthered challenged himself, the airman said, by competing at state and national singing competitions, and winning.

On June 1, 2009, Flores finally enlisted in the Air Force. He had tried submitting an audition package to Tops in Blue before joining, but was told he needed to go through basic first.

Within his first week after he reached Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., his first base, Flores applied and included a video tape.

During his First Term Airman's Course class, he received the call that he had made it into the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest finals.

"I was in tears and screamed real loud when I got the news," said Flores.

The competition consisted of 10 days of long hours, said Flores. The judges were constantly observing talent, work ethic, actions and interactions with other people.

"I made a lot of friends from the competition. It was a great experience," he added. "It was everything I thought Tops in Blue would be."