Dan Gurney, born in upstate New York to artist parents, first picked up an accordion by chance in a toy store. He learned Irish music from Galway-born concertina player Father Charlie Coen. Over the years, he has also been heavily influenced by Billy McComiskey, Jimmy Noonan, John Whelan, Joe Derrane, and John Nolan, among many others.
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 has appeared on Public Radio International, at the International Accordion Festival, and has won nine medals at various Fleadh Cheoil music competitions.
Dan is a member of Irish American band The Yanks, which has released two highly acclaimed albums, and he has performed on Broadway with Sting. He also runs a company called Concert Window (www.concertwindow.com) which enables musicians to broadcast live performances online and has hosted Bela Fleck, A.R. Rahman, and American Idol winner David Cook.
Instructor – Button Accordion
2015