Dennis was the first percussionist inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame [1991], along with the late Fred Sanford.

He has also been inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame [2006] and the Percussive Arts Society [PAS] Hall of Fame [2015] making him the only person who has ever been inducted into all three of the major “percussion/marching arts” halls.

He grew up in Bergenfield, NJ where he was mentored by the late Dr. Bernard Baggs, Mr. Donald Angelica and Mr. Bobby Thompson.

Dennis graduated from Bergenfield HS and Upsala College, and performed in the West Point Band’s prestigious “Hellcats” for three years.

He is best known for his work with drum corps [Muchachos, Bridgemen, Star of Indiana, Crossmen, Sunrisers and Caballeros], the Rutgers University Band and many high school bands, including Piscataway HS in NJ and Bunnell HS in CT.

In 1981 his drumlines won the only “Triple Crown” in drum corps history, winning percussion honors with the Bridgemen [DCI], Sunrisers [DCA] and Fantasia III [DCI Class “A”].

He has appeared as a commentator/analyst on every DCI broadcast since 1994 on PBS, ESPN, DVD’s and in movie theaters for Fathom Events.

Dennis was an Associate Professor of Percussion at Rutgers University from 1996 until 2003.

He has judged band competitions since 1985 and WGI “Indoor” Percussion Championships every year since 1995.

He has written four books on the art of drumming.

He has recorded video drum lesson apps for Drum Guru [drumguru.com].

Dennis is an artist/clinician/consultant for Yamaha drums, Remo drumheads, Sabian cymbals, Malletech eMotion series sticks and mallets, and Row-loff publications.

Dennis lives in New Jersey with his wife Rene, daughter Chelsea and dog Ernie.