Dean came to the world of Storytelling as a writer. He began by telling his own original works, then added traditional tales for all ages from all over the world.

He has acted with Ottawa's Theater For Children, Orpheus, and Ottawa Little Theater. He has appeared at Centrepointe Theater, on stage at the National Arts Centre's Fourth Stage, and in the Museum of Nature. He has performed his original works on both radio and television and across Canada at festivals, cafes, and libraries.

One unique appearance, an afternoon stage at the 2003 Ottawa Folk Festival, saw him sharing the stage with six musicians from four different cultures and three belly dancers. As Dean told a traditional African tale to an almost chantlike rhythm each of the nine added to the story with their own art weaving a most memorable acoustic and visual piece.

Dean also owned and ran Rasputin's Folk Cafe in Ottawa, Canada. This little club started in 1981. In that time he hosted thousands of concerts featuring musicians, storytellers, actors, and poets. Dean also gives "Dealing With Stagefright" workshops.