As an educator
Dean began his teaching career in 1983 as an Assistant Director of Bands for Van Alstyne ISD and was the head middle school director while assisting at the high school. Then from 1984 to 2011, Dean was the Director of Bands for Royse City ISD where he coordinated the 6th-12th band program including the concert bands and marching band. While at Royse City High School, his bands received superior ratings in both UIL Concert and Marching events.
Dean retired from band directing in 2011 to become a freelance guitar player and instructor. His curriculum is student-centered and provides a pathway to accommodating his students' individual goals. Beginners experience a fun and rewarding environment in fundamental guitar techniques. While more advanced players can expect the challenge of sharpening their skills and opportunities to refine their playing. With twenty-eight years of band directing, Dean is comfortable teaching in many different settings including masterclasses, private lessons, guitar ensembles, and in all age ranges.
Dean's Education
Dean earned a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education from St. Louis University in 1978. From there, he did post-graduate studies in conducting and composition at the Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki, Finland. Dean then went on to complete a Masters of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. While at the University of North Texas, Dean's guitar studies were with Professor Jack Petersen and he performed primarily with the Lab Band programs and classical guitar ensembles. Dean can be heard on North Texas Jazz: Fifty Years, an album celebrating the unprecedented accomplishments of the University of North Texas Jazz Studies program.
Family Man
On top of his diverse and illustrious career as a musician, Dean is a husband, father, and grand-father. Dean and Claudia, his wife of thirty-five years, live in the quaint Dallas suburb of Rowlett, Texas. Dean's three children all have a passion for music and the arts.
Aside from music, Dean has a passion for remote-controlled airplanes. In his spare time, Dean enjoys the building, flying, and repairing of his fleet of various model airplanes.
Find Out How Dean can make your next concert one to remember or
Connect with him now to get started on your next project!