Dale began playing the cornet in the Townsville Brass Academy, under the direction of his father, Roy in 1991. His progression through the Academy led to playing positions with the Townsville Brass Junior Band before being promoted to the senior band in 1993. Growing up, Dale regularly competed in solo competitions at both state and regional contests and the annual Townsville Eisteddfod.
In 2001, Dale was promoted to Principal Cornet of the then A Grade Townsville Brass Band. A position he held for the next two years. In 2003, he attended his first Queensland Youth Band and was named Principal Cornet, under the direction of Howard Taylor. That same year, Dale moved to Brisbane to study at the Queensland University of Technology and took up a playing position with Brisbane Excelsior. Over the next 4 years, he played both Solo and Soprano cornet with the band and also won a National Soprano Cornet championship in 2005. During this time, he was also appointed to the position of Music Director of Windsor Brass Band. Upon graduation from university, Dale returned to Townsville to take up a teaching position at a local high school. He jumped at the chance to return to the Principal Cornet chair with Townsville for a year before taking over as their Music Director for the following 9 years. As the conductor of Townsville Brass, he led the band to a B Grade national title in 2014, as well as keeping up his solo playing taking out the 2008 and 2012 national B-Flat Cornet titles.
In 2017, Dale returned to Brisbane and to Brisbane Excelsior where he was appointed to the position of Principal Cornet. At the 2019 National Band Championships, Dale won his 3rd national cornet title. In 2023, he was appointed to the position of care-taker MD of Brisbane Excelsior Band, leading the band to the 2023 Queensland State A Grade title. He was also instrumental in the preparation of the band in the lead up to their successful campaign at the 2024 Australian National Band Championships. Dale is currently Director of Brass at Ferny Grove State High School where he directs a Wind Symphony, Big Band and two large Brass ensembles, while continuing as Principal Cornet of Brisbane Excelsior Band and Musical Director of Windsor Excelsior Band.
