Dean began playing fiddle at the age of eleven, and eventually went on to study music at the University of Saskatchewan, where he obtained a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree. Upon retiring from fiddle competitions after becoming the 1990 Grand Champion, Dean began teaching full time as a private music teacher in both Prince Albert and Saskatoon. It was at that time when he established the Saskatune Fiddlers (1990-1993) through the Department of Extensions, University of Saskatchewan. While Dean was director / instructor, these young fiddlers soon became 1991 Youth Talent Search finalists, and later played live performances on STV and CBC television. Dean has also taught students from across Canada and the United States at fiddle camps in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Minnesota. He has been a clinician for numerous clinics, workshops and school presentations sponsored by the Alberta Society of Fiddlers, the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association and the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association. As the principal of Manitou Beach Music School, Dean played an important role as co-founder of the school, until it was relocated in Prince Albert and taken over by the Prince Albert Strings Orchestra Inc. Dean wa also founding instructor of the Moose Jaw Youth String Orchestra fiddle workshop(1996), and the Bow Bridge Fiddle Workshop in Milaca, MN. Private students of Bernier Music have acquired accolades including: the Royal Conservatory of Music silver medal award for the highest examination marks in the province, touring with the National Youth Orchestra, touring with the Calgary Fiddlers, recording their own CDs, as well as finalists or winners of numerous fiddle contests. Some of these contests include the Saskatchewan Fiddle Championships, the Grand North American Fiddle Championships, and the very prestigious Canadian Grand Masters where Dean himself was a former representative for Saskatchewan.

Over the years Dean has performed with some of the best dance groups from across Canada including French, Ukrainian, and Irish dancers, square dancers, cloggers, jiggers, and step-dancers. It was performances with the Creeland Square Dancers (Duck Lake, SK) which took them on a memorable Maritime tour where they were guest artists at the 1993 Maritime Fiddle Championships. In September, 1994 their performances took them to the Homesteader's stage at Dolly Parton's amusement park at Dollywood, Tennessee, participating in the opening of the park's fall festival.

Dean has served as the Zone Five Orchestral representative with the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association (1992-1994), a board member with the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association (1991-1995), a representative on the Saskatchewan Fiddle Committee (1992-1997), and a director with the Prince Albert Exhibition Association (since1992). Memberships include the Alberta Society of Fiddlers, Saskatchewan Fiddlers Association, Saskatchewan Recording Association, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, and the Canadian Belgian Horse Association. He is a lifetime member of the Prince Albert Country Music Association, holding consecutive nominations to the SCMA all-star band for fiddle (1994-2005) and specialty instruments (1997-2005). Dean won the title for fiddle player in 2000 and 2001, as well as specialty player in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Dean was honored as the recipient of the 2003 SCMA Humanitarian Award. He currently performs with the award winning band "Steppin' Out" (1999 SCMA Most Promising Entertainers of the Year). In the summer of 2000, Steppin' Out was the opening act for Farmers Daughter, and also had an opportunity to perform on stage with Beverly Mahood and Lace. Dean has also performed with country music recording artist Rick Tippi, as well as opening for The Stampeders with the band DYB.

Dean, his wife Candace and sons Wyatt and Ty, make their home in Prince Albert. He continues to work on special projects such as studio recordings, writing, and arranging music. In the past ten years, Dean has bee the artistic director and instructor of a youth / adult orchestra (Prince Albert Strings Orchestra Inc.) and has set up and teaches a string program for Rivier Academy. This program is currently the only string orchestra program available to middle years and high school students in Saskatchewan which awards high school credits towards the students' academic records. Through Bernier Music he continues to encourage and promote musicians by teaching private students of all ages from areas throughout Western Canada and the United States.