Dennis was formally taught piano at age 6 by attending Settlement Music School in Phila. PA. He continued piano lessons until the age of 9. Then, after seeing and hearing his first live marching band desired to switch to drums, from there it was no looking back. He started taking drum lessons at elementary school in 4th grade and continued until high school, where he performed with the marching and stage bands. 

Dennis joined R&B Funk recording band, “Pretty Slick” at the age of 20. The band was together for 15 years and enjoyed moderate success recording 4 singles and touring the country, opening for such national acts as: Shalamar, Skyy, Mass Production, Captain Rock and Breakwater.In the nineties, Dennis taught himself how to play hand percussion (congas, bongos and timbales) and preformed with various entertainment companies on private events such weddings and bar mitzvahs. In 1997 Dennis joined Gospel recording group, “The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation” and recorded the 2010 Grammy nominated Gospel album, “To the Chief Musician.”