Dan Cassady was a high school and community college band director in Iowa for 38 years. He directed band programs at Graettinger Community School, Fort Dodge Senior High School, Iowa Central Community College and St. Edmond High School. He is credited with building the award-winning jazz program at St. Edmond. Dan has also taught brass instrument lessons and jazz improvisation at West Music, and was on the adjunct faculties at Waldorf College and Kirkwood Community College. He currently runs a teaching studio at the McSweeny School of the Performing Arts in Fort Dodge. He works as a clinician and adjudicator with school band programs throughout Iowa and surrounding states.
A Des Moines native, Dan graduated from The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1973 and the Master of Arts in 1984. Additional post-graduate work was completed at the VanderCook College of Music-Chicago, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.

He is a multiple-year honoree in Who’s Who Among Americas’ Teachers and the recipient of the University of Texas Excellence Award (1999), the North Central Iowa Bandmasters Distinguished Service Awards (2005 and 2007), and the Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce Golden Apple Award (2011).

As a trombonist, Dan has performed many area bands. He plays with the Jive For Five Brass Quintet, Karl King Municipal Band, Dick Bauman Big Band and Lone Tree Revival. He serves as an adjudicator for many contests and festivals. Professional memberships include the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Jazz Educators of Iowa, American School Band Directors Association, and the International Trombone Association. He has taught at the Southwestern Community College and Reggie Schive Summer Jazz Camps.

Dan and his wife, Lori have two sons, one daughter, and a granddaughter.