Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Dan Dyar joined the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, in April 2023. He currently performs on drums with Touch 'n Go, Concert Band, and Marching Band. In addition to his musical responsibilities, Sergeant Dyar serves as the DTS Clerk for the Finance Section.
While a member of the Heritage of America Band, SSgt Dyar has performed with numerous world‐class artists, including Chris Daughtry, Jeff Coffin, Roy Wooten, and Pat Monahan. During the COVID‐19 Pandemic, he was part of a musical team which performed remotely with a large number of high school teachers and students from the Hampton Roads region in an outreach effort for the local community. Recently, SSgt Dyar had the honor and privilege of performing for Air Combat Commander, General Mike Holmes's ceremony, as he retired from the Air Force.
Prior to joining the military, SSgt Dyar freelanced as a musician in the Indianapolis area, frequently appearing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. SSgt Dyar held the drum chair of four local bands and gave several performances as a soloist, while maintaining a roster of forty private students. He had the honor of performing with Marvin Hamlisch and Jonathan Frakes, and opening as a soloist for Gregg Bissonette, after working for Carnival Cruise Lines. SSgt Dyar's teachers include Craig Hetrick (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana University, Butler University), Jon Crabiel (Butler University, Artist‐in‐Residence), Gerald Noble (Wright State University, Dayton Philharmonic, USAF Regional Bands), David Northrup (Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt), Steve Houghton (Indiana University, Internationally renowned clinician), and Art Reiner (University of Indianapolis). A sample of his playing can be heard on the album Borrowed Pens by the band Dorsey (So Big Records), on which he plays drums, percussion, piano, and sings backup vocals.
ASSIGNMENTS
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Oct 2017 - March 2023, Heritage of America Band at Langley AFB, VA
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March 2023 - present, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AFB, AE
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Longevity Service Award
National Defense Service Ribbon
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class 25 Sep 2017
Senior Airman 04 Nov 2019
Staff Sergeant 01 Jul 2021
(Current as of April 2023)