Dean Haskins began studying music in 1967 and received numerous awards in trombone, baritone, and tuba performance. He began writing music in his high school years, and has composed in various styles from symphonic to jazz and rock. His first original symphonic composition was composed and conducted at the age of 17.

He has served as Director of Music and Orchestra Director in various churches in central Virginia, and he also conducted a community-wide orchestra.

(Patricia, Dean, & Sean with NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal)

Mr. Haskins' major works include the arranging and orchestrating of a 50-minute Christmas musical (the premiere of which he conducted), and three full-length (40-minute) symphonies-Starlight, which was composed in memory of Matthew Brown, Windsor, which was composed to honor the 45th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation, and Christopher, which was composed to honor the courage and determination of actor Christopher Reeve.

Dean traveled the country with the world famous Blackwood Gospel Quartet for three years. With BGQ he performed at different times as the bass singer, the baritone singer and the pianist/arranger. He has also sung on numerous recordings from the Old Time Gospel Hour.

Mr. Haskins has extensive experience as a public speaker, and is invited often by area schools to present information about his craft with students. He lives with his wife, Patricia, and son, Sean, in Forest, Virginia.

Dean Haskins composes exclusively with Cakewalk software products, Kurzweil keyboards, and Alesis drum modules. He records with ADK microphones.