When it comes to shaping future performers, few people can match the depth of experience Mr. Dean brings to the table. Mr. Dean started his career in the arts at the age of nine, singing abroad for people as high class as the Queen of England herself. Mr. Dean has built a legacy that spans professional stages across the globe. After retiring from performing in 2011, he’s now focused on teaching choir students the lessons he learned through decades of experience.
Mr. Dean’s teaching style is anything but conventional. He shares what he wished he had learned as a high school student, hoping to give his performers the edge they need not only to succeed in competitions but also to succeed in life, as he says his job is to “teach life lessons through music”. According to his students, Mr. Dean’s approach is clear and concise, ensuring that even the most complex techniques feel accessible.
Learning everything from his mentor Deana DeHart, Mr. Dean’s teaching style is holistic, focusing on more than just vocal talent. Show choir is not just about singing or dancing in isolation– it’s about combining both disciplines with a strong physical foundation.
As a show choir student myself, I’m often asked the question “Why do you guys run? Why do you guys do push-ups and sit-ups? Isn’t it just singing and dancing?” and to that I say, you’re terribly mistaken. For Mr. Dean, the foundation of a strong show choir performance begins in the gym. His rehearsals often resemble athletic training sessions, emphasizing core strength through exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and planks. To Mr. Dean, show choir is not just an art form, but also a sport, and his students work hard to maintain the stamina needed to sustain high energy performances. Singing, dancing, acting, and having high energy for 20 minutes straight takes work, and not everybody can do it. “We work just as hard as those on the football, soccer, and basketball teams do.” one student noted. “Mr. Dean has pushed me to be strong in every sense– vocally, physically, and mentally.”
Resonance, the mixed advanced show choir, faced its fair share of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group’s 2020-2021 season was riddled with setbacks, from hybrid schedules to the inability to compete. Students found it difficult to get into their groove with minimal in-person rehearsals. However, Mr. Dean remained steadfast, helping the group develop resilience and adaptability in the face of these unprecedented hurdles.
Despite the struggles of their early years, Resonance came roaring back during the 2022-2023 “I Want My MTV!” show season, placing at every single competition they traveled to, including out of state ones like Sissonville, West Virginia and even as far as Andover, Massachusetts, where Powhatan’s unisex show choir “Radiance” won their first Grand Champion.
So, what brought Mr. Dean to Powhatan after such an illustrious career? Having previously worked on projects for Nickelodeon and Broadway, some may wonder why Mr. Dean chose to teach show choir. But for him, teaching was always in the cards. After getting his start at Show Choir Camps of America, a former colleague recommended the job to him, and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I’ve had some amazing experiences in my career,” Mr. Dean reflected, “but watching these students grow and succeed is something special.” As the Grand Champion, #7 in the nation, superior rated show choir Resonance moves into its next year, it’s clear that Mr. Dean’s vision for the group is coming to fruition. His blend of professional experience and innovative teaching methods sets his students up for success, not only on the stage but in life as well.
With Mr. Dean at the helm, Resonance is poised for greatness, As the group prepares for another season of competition, their director remains committed to fostering an environment where hard work, talent, and passion intersect.
In Mr. Dean’s words, “We’re just getting started.”
