Dan was born in San Diego, California, but spent his formative years in the Midwest, where he was exposed to a rich cultural landscape that would later influence his artistic pursuits. He attended Colonel White High School for the Performing Arts in Dayton, Ohio, where he immersed himself in a comprehensive curriculum that included music, visual art, theater, and film.
Under the guidance of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Steven Bognar, Dan learned the fundamental principles of film production, while Paul James Vasquez, a renowned actor and future collaborator, taught him the art of acting. This early exposure to the film industry laid the groundwork for Dan's future endeavors.
As a prodigious Jazz guitarist, Dan began his professional music career at a remarkably young age. By his mid-teens, he was already performing and honing his craft. After graduating from high school, Dan won a prestigious performance scholarship to the University of North Texas, where he resided in Denton, Texas for nearly seven years. During this period, he performed and taught, developing his skills as a musician and educator.
In 2001, Dan relocated to New York City, where he continued to perform as a sideman and showcased his original work, blending modern improvised Jazz with scored monologues that he presented on stage and in studio. By 2005, having completed several novel manuscripts and screenplays, Dan made the transition to film, founding Insurgent Pictures in 2006 after completing his debut feature, Jail City.
Today, Dan remains a multifaceted creative force, working as a writer, producer, director, actor, and voiceover artist in the New York area.
