Dabney studied music privately first with his father, John Wendell Dabney, then with his uncle Wendell Phillips Dabney (1865-1952), then Charles Donch "(né" Charles Bernard Donch; 1858–1948), William Waldecker (1857–1931), an organist for several churches in Washington, and Samuel Fabian "(né" Samuel Monroe Fabian; 1859–1921), a concert pianist.