Originally from Gary, Indiana, Dr. Daniel McCloud earned his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. In 2003 Dr. McCloud earned a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and completed a Doctor of Arts degree in Percussion Performance and Instrumental Conducting from Ball State in 2008.

In addition to university responsibilities, Dr. McCloud serves as an adjudicator, clinician and performer. He has regularly performed with the Kokomo Park Band and Muncie Symphony Orchestra in Indiana, and as Principal Percussionist with the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra in Texas.
In addition to being an active performer and conductor, Dr. McCloud is an active composer and arranger. He has received commissions from the World Saxophone Congress in addition to numerous soloists, band and percussion programs. In 2000, he composed the theme music for a documentary film, “Ed Ball’s Century” for PBS affiliate, WIPB-TV at Ball State University. Dr. McCloud has more than 30 percussion compositions published by Dutch Music Partners. He is an Educational Endorser of Pro-Mark, a prominent percussion company, and is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); Percussive Arts Society and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Currently, Dr. McCloud is the Director of University Bands at Methodist University. Outside of music, Dr. McCloud enjoys cooking, the occasional weekend warrior activity, and spending time with his wife Sandy and their three sons, Zavier, Zander, and Zane.