A sought-after personality in the field of entertainment, Dean has made, and continues to make, his mark in a number of capacities: actor, emcee, director, host, and singer. He is increasingly noted for his entertaining lectures and informative concerts mapping out the importance and significance of the Great American Songbook.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and its surrounding area, he became captivated by the notion of becoming a stage actor whilst in high school. Shortly thereafter he gained significant post-secondary Musical Theatre experience working under the direction of Broadway/New York-based directors at his hometown’s Hamilton Theatre Inc., including the likes of Rudy Tronto, Jack Timmers, Michael Mann, Edie Cowan and John Sharpe. Along the way he expanded into non-musical roles with other area theatre companies, accumulating awards for his both his dramatic and comedic stage work.

Opting to remain in Canada, and to blend his career with family life, Dean has worked for over two decades in numerous regional theatres throughout Ontario in both musical and non-musical roles, including the role of Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago (Drayton Entertainment), Young Whit in Of Mice and Men (Theatre Aquarius), Bill Page in The Voice of the Turtle (Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse), and the title role in tour de force production, Billy Bishop Goes to War (Gayety Theatre, and tour). On two occasions he played the role of Mark Dolson in the two-man play Mass Appeal – the second time opposite actor Jonathan Frid of Dark Shadows fame.

Throughout his professional career, he has continued to explore, understand and celebrate the music of the Great American Songbook, creating and performing shows and programs about some of its most prominent songwriters including Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen and Hoagy Carmichael. The only performer-based show he has ever created pays homage to his favourite of all male vocalists, Nat King Cole.