Gary Dahl, originally from Montana, is a resident of Silverdale and teaches music in the Central Kitsap School District. He serves as associate conductor and personnel manager of the Bremerton WestSound Symphony, principal timpanist of the WestSound Symphony and Port Angeles Symphony, and conductor of Kitsap Opera.

 

Dahl holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master of Music in Conducting from Western Washington University. He studied conducting with Gunther Schuller, Jerry Kracht, David Wallace and Bruce Pullan; and timpani with Michael Crusoe and Salvatore Rabbio.

 

Gary began his teaching career in Omak, Washington, and in 1985 also became conductor of the Okanogan Valley Orchestra. Under Dahl’s leadership, the orchestra grew significantly, both in numbers and in its level of musicianship. In addition to subscription concerts, he led more than a dozen productions of staged musicals and light operas. In 1998, he moved to Kitsap County to accept his current position in the Central Kitsap School District. 

 

Gary served for 19 years as choir director at Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church in Bremerton. In the past, Mr. Dahl has also served as conductor for Puget Sound Opera, Peninsula Trombone Choir, Millennium Music Series Association, Kitsap Youth Symphony and Bremerton Community Theatre.