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Dale began his music career at the age of 9 when he began taking piano lessons from the late Carol Hazlett in Butler. By the age of 13 he was playing Hymns for opening exercises before Sunday School at the church he and his family were born and raised in, Bethany Reformed Church. With the help of the late Pearl Bayer Smiley, he taught himself to play the organ. Mrs. Smiley showed him the difference in the touch of the organ and piano and he learned the rest on his own.
During his youth, he participated in the PMEA Music Festival where his piano skills were judged. He received many Superior ratings and earned four gold cups. Later in his career, Dale went on to be a judge at this festival.
He attended Edinboro University of PA and earned a B.S. in Music Education. While in college he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the orchestra and the marching band. He played violin, trumpet, and bass drum in addition to his piano studies. He also was involved with the United Methodist Church of Edinboro where he served as accompanists for the Choir, Director of the Youth Choir, Co-Director of the Adult Choir and Organist.
After graduation he immediately got a position with St. Pauls UCC in Butler as Minister of Music. Since that time he has served various churches in the Butler area. He is celebrating 28 years in the Music Ministry and has been at West Sunbury U.P. Church for 10 years.
Dale works full time for U.S. Investigations Services in Grove City as a lead clerk, he has been employed there for 14 years. In his spare time he enjoys bowling, shopping, movies, and spending time with his 2 Dalmatians. He is Vice President of the Butler County Church Bowling League where he has bowled for about 20 years. Dale also enjoys driving his VW Beetle, which was a childhood dream to have a “Bug”!
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