Dean's musical history goes back to his warm and supportive family. In particular, his grandfather Stan, a trumpeter, was an important musical influence and role model whom Dean looks up to with great respect and admiration.
On a visit to Australia in 2001, a long way from his hometown of Johannesburg, Dean went to see a friend play in a rock band at a Melbourne pub. Only 14 years old at the time, the experience changed him. From that moment he knew all he wanted to do was play music.
"The volume of the amps and the drums started a fire within me," he recalls. He began guitar lessons as soon as he returned to South Africa. From there, chords and lyrics just poured out and he began to work on his voice, polishing his skills in a band once he'd moved permanently to Australia.
The adrenaline rush Dean felt during the first episodes of Australian Idol became something he looked forward to each week. He quickly became comfortable on stage in front of the studio audiences and cameras, taking control every time he held the microphone. After witnessing his undeniable prowess on stage and his talent developing throughout the competition, SonyBMG offered Dean a recording deal just days after the final.
Dean attributes the tenacity required to make it this far to his karate training — he, his sister, father and grandfather have black belts. The discipline to work hard, never give up and to be there at the end he learnt from the sport. It transforms every part of his life. Even during arduous vocal training and studio sessions, he benefits from his strong will to dig deeper and work harder.
