DALE HALLERBERG
2025 AD LEGACY AWARD WINNER

Nominated by Geoff Thursby and Tom Blair
Dale first joined the organization as a marching member in 1977. He marched for four years in the drumline, committing to the corps during what those of us who were there would charitably refer to as trying times. After his years as a marching member, Dale continued to provide a variety of volunteer efforts to the corps—as wide-ranging as manufacturing innovative support equipment to instructing the drumline. Dale and his wife, Dr. Brenda Brak, have spent decades supporting The Cavaliers, always with one goal in mind: to improve the organization on and off the field and to enhance the experience of being a Cavalier.

But Dale’s deepest impact has come more recently. Some years ago, Dale’s love of percussion led him to join the Crystal Lake Strikers, a group formed to offer percussionists the opportunity to perform in a fun, relaxed environment. Originally for drummers of college age and beyond, with a mission to “have fun and don’t suck,” the Strikers soon expanded to form groups for high school and middle school students—with Dale always heavily involved in their growth.

Through this work, Dale began to recognize that the shared experience of drumming together might serve an even deeper purpose. In 2019, he formed the Kingpins—an all-abilities drumline offering students with special needs an organized and structured creative outlet through percussion. The program was wildly successful, uplifting those often dismissed as unable to experience the joy of performing with a musical ensemble.

Armed with everything he learned through the Kingpins, Dale brought his magic back home to The Cavaliers in 2022 and, with the support of Cavaliers Arts, Performance & Education (CAPE), founded the King Cobras Drumline.

For students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, enrichment programs like King Cobras are vital to their long-term development. The program is carefully designed to engage and develop a wide range of motor and cognitive skills. Recently, the program has expanded into new areas—holding seminars for teachers, education majors, and even at corporate events. These efforts, all driven by Dale’s passion, not only give CAPE an avenue to give back but have also opened a potentially significant revenue stream for the organization.

Parents of students participating in King Cobras are astounded by the positive effect the program has on their children. Many are overwhelmed with emotion as they watch their children experience the joy of playing music with others—joy they had not dared to dream of, now realized because of the commitment and vision of one dedicated Cavalier.