Dean Anderson was born in Valencia, California to Walter and Dorcas Anderson. Dean’s parents are of Filipino-American ethnic background and both were born and raised in the Philippines until migrating to New York to complete their medical school studies at the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital.
Since the age of 5, he demonstrated an early passion in classical music, often spending long hours entranced by music of Mozart and Handel coming from the radio or an old record playing on his aunt’s record player.
When the opportunity came for him to take string lessons at his public elementary school, his mother urged him to choose the violin. He immediately fell in love with the instrument and began practicing feverishly, often into the late hours of the night. In addition, he began studying piano and music theory.
At the age of 14, his family relocated to Columbia, Missouri in order for his parents to complete their medical internship. For the next 13 years, Mr. Anderson would continue to pursue training in violin, piano, and conducting. He was accepted on full scholarship to the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Music, studying violin with John McLeod and Eva Szekely. He also studied viola with Leslie Perna and orchestral conducting with Edward Dolbashian. In 2000, he completed his Masters in Music with emphasis on Violin Performance and Orchestral Conducting.
In 2001, Mr. Anderson accepted the post as Music Director of the Columbia Civic Orchestra, which he held until 2003. During this period, he was also appointed Music Director for Stephens College, the Missouri Youth Orchestra, and the MU Chamber Soloists. He also performed professional as a violinist with the Missouri Chamber Orchestra and as a soloist throughout the state in cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.
In 2003, he relocated to Orange County, California to be closer to his family, as they had relocated while he was living and working in Columbia. Between 2003 and 2005, he mainly worked as a music director for theater companies throughout Orange County, including the Chance Theater, La Habra Depot Theater, and the Maverick Theater.
In 2005, he became the Music Director for the Orange County Symphony and proceeded to complete 3 full seasons with the ensemble.
Most recently, he has accepted a faculty position at Fullerton College as the Music Director of the Fullerton Symphony in addition to the position of Director of Music for the Dong Shin Youth Orchestra.