Born in 1960 in New York, Brian Dean specialized early in his Career as Violinist in the historic performance practices of the 17th to 19 Centuries. After finishing his Bachelor studies in violin and baroque violin at the Oberlin Conservatory of music,  he continued his studies in Great Britain as winner of the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Thereafter he moved again to the USA for his Master in performance at Rice University in Houston under the violin virtuose and baroqe specialist Sergiu Luca. Since 1987 Brian Dean has been living in Europe teaching and playing as member of the Freiburger Barockorchester and as concertmaster of the Anima Eterna Symphony Orchestra, Brugge (B).

   After having taught Baroque violin at the musikhochschule in Karlsruhe, Brian Dean became Dozent for violin and baroque violin at the Musikhochschule Luzern (CH) in 2003.

   His teaching specializes in the use of historic performance practices on the modern violin. For Brian Dean historic informed performance practices are not only for Baroque and classical music, but influences the way we view and play the entire  romantic and modern violin repertoire.  This very specialized teaching has led to the development of a new direction of violin studies at the Hochschule in Luzern, where modern violin, classical and baroque violin techniques can be combined for a broader knowledge of the violin and its entire repertoire, using the correct accompaniement instruments such as Cembalo or Hammerklavier. 

  At the Musikhochschule in Basel Switzerland Brian Dean founded and leads the Chamber Academy Basel (CAB).  The Chamber Academy is an elite orchestral formation of the finest students of the school playing each year a variety of programs from Barock to contemporary . Following the historic tradition he leads and prepares the orchestra from the violin without a conductor.  With overwhelming public and critical success, the orchestra is becoming new landmark of the Musikhochschule Basel.  Current projects include a new production of the Haydn opera "Lo Speziale" at the Theater Basel, as well as a coming guest concerts in Israel this summer. 

  Brian Dean works regularly as guest concertmaster and teacher in many orchestras and universities such as the Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspielen, Händel- Akademie Karlsruhe, Jeune Orchester Atlantique in Saintes (F), Universität Rio de Janeiro, Royal Conservatory Antwerpen (B), Ensemble-Akademie Freiburg, Akademie für Alte Musik Bruneck(I), Bayrische Musikakademie Marktoberdorf.