Dan Gurney, born in upstate New York to artist parents, first picked up an accordion by chance in a toy store while Micho Russell was playing close by.. He learned Irish music from Galway-born concertina player Father Charlie Coen.  He now lives in Dun Laoghaire with his wife Christina and daughter Saoirse.

Dan, an accordion player, grew up in the Hudson Valley town of Rhinebeck, a short train ride from the big city. He started out on a toy button accordion but by age seven was playing the real thing. His chief musical inspiration was Fr. Charlie Coen, then attached to a parish in nearby Red Hook. The musical priest instilled in Dan a passion for old-time traditional music played without flash or excessive speed. He has recorded a solo CD, an album with fiddler Dylan Foley and one with the band The Yanks.  He has appeared on Public Radio International, at the International Accordion Festival, and has won nine medals at various Fleadh Cheoil music competitions.

After graduating from Harvard University in 2009, he lived in Galway for a year playing with the likes of Dolores Keane, Johnny Ringo McDonagh, Mick Conneely, Ronan O’Flaherty, and Brian Mc Grath.  He currently lives in Dublin with his flute-playing wife Christina Dolphin and young daughter Saoirse.