21-YEAR-OLD DAN GURNEY has already been playing the Irish button accordion for more than half his life, having picked up the instrument seriously at age 7. He has won the Eastern U.S. Fleadh Cheoil Irish music competition six times, and has won three bronze medals at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. He has performed at the Washington Irish Festival with John Whelan and Paddy O'Brien, at the Turning Point Cafe with Joe Derrane and Johnny Cunningham, at Caffe Lena with Tony DeMarco, and at the Bardavon with Cherish the Ladies. In September 2001 he was invited to perform at the International Accordion Festival, sharing the stage with Chris Parkinson and John Whelan. Additionally, he has been featured on Northeast Public Radio's popular show Dancing on the Air. Though largely self-taught, he has studied with master musicians Father Charlie Coen, Joe Derrane, John Whelan, Billy McComiskey, and John Nolan.