Levenson first became acquainted with old-time music while living in Rochester.[3] His interest in the genre deepened after working as a photographer at music festivals, and then as a manager for five years at Goose Acres Folk Music Center in Cleveland,[4] becoming totally immersed in banjo playing during this period. He learned about the art of musical storytelling by noticing how folk singer Pete Seeger captivated his audience during a heavy rainstorm at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. Later, after meeting Seeger at the Second Tennessee Banjo Institute and asking the artist about the intricacies of his method and delivery, he replied, "Dan, you just tell your story".[3]
In the late 1980s, Levenson formed a string band called the Boiled Buzzards, which went on to record four albums between 1989 and 1994.[3][4] The band started out with five players, with the lead performer on fiddle. When the fiddler declined to play onstage, the lead position went to the harmonica player, which gave the band a unique sound.[3] Levenson, who has performed with Cleveland blues guitarist Bob Frank as part of his Hotfoot Duo,[4] was voted one of the United States's top ten clawhammer banjo players by Banjo Newsletter readers. After touring with Kim Murley as part of the Blue Rose Duo,[3] Levenson embarked on a solo career.[2] As of January 2015[update], he has released ten recordings.[3]
Levenson has taught music at John C. Campbell Folk School, Mars Hill University, Maryland Banjo Academy, Ozark Folk Center, Banjo Camp North and the Rolland Fiddle Camp. Out of a strong desire to introduce the banjo to absolute beginners, he traveled throughout the United States, England, Ireland, Israel and Brazil[5] performing and leading training workshops known as Meet the Banjo or "Clawcamp".[2][3][4] Levenson began writing a column for Banjo Newsletter in January 2005.[3]
