Dan Sailer

Biography 

Dan Sailer is a percussionist, educator and composer from Sioux Falls. He serves as instructor of percussion at Augustana University and assistant director of the Viking Marching Band. Sailer is principal percussionist of the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra and frequently performs with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. 

Nationally, he is the assistant percussion caption head with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps (Rockford, Illinois), following a decorated marching career that includes multiple snare drum accolades at Drum Corps International and the Percussive Arts Society solo competitions. His teaching experience spans premier programs across the Midwest, including Lincoln High School (South Dakota), Irondale High School HS (Minnesota) and Brandon Valley High School (South Dakota), as well as River City Rhythm, Minnesota Brass, Boston Crusaders and the Troopers. A sought-after educator and adjudicator, Sailer also teaches globally through the Stryvemind online percussion platform.

Sailer earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in both instrumental and vocal music from Concordia University, St. Paul and Master of Music (M.M.) in percussion performance from the University of North Texas. He previously served as adjunct professor at Dordt University, where he helped produce the album “Music With Friends,” which earned second place in the American Prize for College Wind Bands (2021).

Performance highlights include the 2019 TMEA Showcase Concert with Canadian Brass, recordings with the North Texas Wind Symphony featuring Ryan Anthony, 125th Anniversary Album of the Augustana University Band with the premiere of “A Prairie of Voices” by James David and performances with internationally acclaimed artists Frédéric Macarez, the Barcelona Clarinet Players, Andy Narell, Willow Smith and Matthew Whitaker.