Dean was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and began dancing at Norris Studios in Papakura. In 2017, he moved to Sydney to further his dance studies at Ev & Bow under the direction of Sarah Boulter and Lisa Bowmer.

In 2018, Dean was the top prize winner at the inaugural Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix, which led to his first engagement with Sydney Dance Company. In 2019, he performed with Theatre of Image in Brett and Wendy… A Love Story Bound by Art, choreographed by Lucas Jervies and directed by Kim Carpenter, dancing the role of Young Brett Whiteley.

After completing a 10 week secondment with Sydney Dance Company, Dean officially joined the ensemble in March 2019. Throughout his time with the company, he has worked with and performed the repertoire of a range of choreographers, including Rafael Bonachela, Marina Mascarell, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, and Melanie Lane. He performed soloist roles nationally and internationally in Rafael Bonachela’s ab intra, Impermanence and momenta, as well as Marina Mascarell’s The Shell, A Ghost, The Host and The Lyrebird. With Sydney Dance Company, Dean had the pleasure of touring globally, performing on some of the world’s most renowned stages and festivals, including the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Opera House in London, Théâtre de Chaillot in Paris, The Joyce Theater in New York City, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

In December 2024, Dean made his choreographic debut, presenting FULL IN/HALF OUT at Carriageworks as part of Sydney Dance Company’s New Breed program. 

bio updated Apr 2025