Versatile percussionist Dan McLaughlin has performed in jazz, musical theater, steel pan, Balinese Gamelan, orchestral and chamber ensembles, in addition to contemporary solo performing. Among his accomplishments he counts playing in the world premieres of David Vayo's musical “Fertile Ground” and Moon and Sun, and Pin Hsin Lin's Dancing Ocean. He has played with acclaimed artists such as Liam Teague, Chris Hanning, Ricardo Flores, Chris Tanner, Chip McNeill, Charles Vernon, Miho Sasaki, and the Orchid Ensemble. Dan has instructed individuals and ensembles, ranging from junior high beginners to college performance majors. He received his Bachelor's degree in Orchestral Instruments from Illinois Wesleyan University under the instruction of Amanda Legner. He received his Master's degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, under the instruction of William Moersch and Ricardo Flores.