Dan Gaisford grew up in Dunlap, Illinois attending Banner Elementary School and Dunlap Middle School, where he was in band, jazz band, and parade marching band.

In the summer after 8th grade he moved to Juneau, Alaska attending Juneau Douglas High School where he was in band, jazz band, and pep band. During 12th grade he played in Carnegie Hall in New York City with the Juneau Douglas High School Wind Ensemble.

Mr. Gaisford went on to college in Fairbanks, Alaska at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for Music Education playing in concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, trumpet ensemble, brass choir, brass quintet, and pep band. After the second year of college in Fairbanks he transferred to the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho where he attended the Lionel Hampton School of Music where he played in full orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, trumpet ensemble, brass quintet, pep band, and marching band in The Sound of Idaho Vandal Marching Band. 

Near the end of college he moved to Minnesota where he student taught in Mounds View Public Schools, substitute taught, and taught classroom music, orchestra, and band in Hopkins Public Schools, and Robbinsdale Area Schools. 

Dan finally came home to Roseville Area Schools in the fall of 2019, and has been here ever since. 

During his time teaching at Roseville Area Schools, Mr G obtained his Masters of Education degree in 'Instructional Design and Technology' from Western Governors' University

He is currently a proud member of Beasley's Big Band, a full 18-person jazz big band. Beasley's was founded by jazz saxophone player and composer/arranger, Chuck Beasley. They play two regularly scheduled gigs per month, as well as yearly performances at Como Lake Pavilion, the Ukrainian American Community Center, and other special events. The regularly scheduled gigs are: 

• Every first Monday of the month

  • 7:00-9:00 PM (no cover charge) (free dance lessons starting at 6:15 PM)

  • Brianno's Chart House (Lakeville, MN) 

• Every third Sunday of the month

  • 6:00-8:00 PM ($10 cover charge) (dance lessons included with cover starting at 5:15 PM)

  • Minneapolis Cider Company (Minneapolis, MN)

(Pictured from top to bottom is: 

• Dan Gaisford with his wife, Katrina Gaisford, kayaking on Lake McDonald in beautiful Glacier National Park, Montana

• Dan and Katrina's best friend, Aurora. 

• Dan, with two fellow trumpet players, performing in Beasley's Big Band at the Ukrainian American Community Center