At the age of six, he began studying piano and throughout elementary school, he acted and sang in the university's musical theater productions.

He played with MSU for two years and while with them was recruited by trumpeter Pat Harbison to study at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.

In the fall of 1988, Gallaher moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and began his studies with Rick VanMatre and Pat Harbison at the CCM.

Some of the names include Cal Collins, Kenny Poole, Steve Schmidt, Art Gore, Wilbert Longmire, The Blue Wisp Big Band and the Psychoacoustic Orchestra.

Gallaher has since been working as a freelance musician and has performed with the Blue Wisp Big Band, Cohesion Jazz Ensemble, Cal Collins, the Phil DeGreg Trio, the Ron Enyard Trio, Wilbert Longmire, Ed Moss Society Jazz Orchestra, the Vintage Keys Project and the Psychoacoustic Orchestra.

This features the talents of Dan Karlsberg on piano, Steve Whipple on bass and Anthony Lee on drums.

Gallaher can be heard with a variety of groups including the Dan Karlsberg Nati 6, the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, the Pete Wagner Band, the Blue Wisp Big Band, the Art Gore Quartet, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.