Dan McCarthy's playing has been described simply as “virtuosic” by Seen and Heard International. He is fluent and versatile on a number of instruments and styles ranging from the medieval to modern. He was a part of the first class of baroque violists ever to be accepted into the historical performance program at The Juilliard School, where he was also often featured in performances playing violin, viola d'amore, and viola da gamba. As a modern violist, Dan holds a doctorate in viola performance from the University of Maryland, where he was an active performer in the Washington D.C area. There, he gave concerts and lectures at George Washington University, American University, the Library of Congress, and the National Portrait Gallery. He holds other degrees from the University of Michigan, and the Interlochen Arts Academy.

Dan has served as section violist with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, concertmaster of the Austin Baroque Orchestra, and tenor gambist with Parthenia. He has also performed and toured extensively throughout North America, East Asia, and Europe with Jordi Savall, Masaaki Suzuki, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, and the American Bach Soloists. Here on the east coast he has played with Brooklyn Baroque, Big Apple Baroque, Yale Schola Cantorum, Dorian Baroque Ensemble, and New Vintage Baroque. Dan is currently engaged with the New York Classical Quartet, Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity, La Fiocco, and the Queen's Consort. Dan is also on faculty at the Atlantic Music Festival in Maine during his summers.