Dean is a recording industry professional with 20+ years of scholarship and experience in the fields of pop, ambient, classical, and minimalist music production.

He worked for over a decade in some of Los Angeles’s most sought-after studios, including a one-of-a-kind mentorship at the iconic Ocean Way (United) Studios on Sunset Blvd. under Jack Joseph Puig and in an engineer/mixer role in Beck’s home studios in L.A. and Malibu.

His discog includes Grammy, Juno, and Brit Awards nominated and winning artists as well as projects from Beck, Thurston Moore, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jamie Lidell, The Rolling Stones, and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks to CBC 2 host Buck 65, Montreal-based Paper Beat Scissors and Aistis, Vancouver-based Van Ber and Caitlin Goulet - plus local London artists Lost in Japan, My Father’s Son and Scott Brunelle.

Dean studied Music Production at the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART). He returned in 2011 as Director of the Music Production Program for over a decade.

As a composer, Van Ber’s experimental use of modern recording techniques mixed with his training as a classical musician informs his creation of uniquely orchestrated works for dance, film, T.V., and brands such as Oakley and Black Diamond.

As an artist, he is a unique force in new music. His use of synthesizer, acoustic, and DAW elements declare a modern movement. His debut album "The Great Ugly" was featured on CBC Radio Drive. His second album is currently in production and is being supported by FACTOR Canada

As a performer, Van Ber has competed and performed as a classical pianist, studying with pianists such as Gwen Beamish and Andre Laplante, and performs as a keyboard/synth/organ player in numerous touring productions. He was also a winner as a classical pianist at the ORMTA Young Artist Competition.

Van Ber has a Honours B.Mus. in Music Theory & Composition with distinction, majoring in piano, from Western University and an ARCT in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music.