Dennis is a mixed blood Native American, Cherokee and Mesquaki. He is best known as a Native American flute player and flute maker. He is also an accomplished guitarist and a music composer. Dennis is a teacher of Native American spirituality, sweat lodge leader, and pipe carrier. His Indian name is Animikii Gekek, “Thunder Hawk.”

Dennis’ Native American flute influences are R. Carlos Nakai, Louis Webster and Bill Miller. His background on guitar is folk/rock, influenced by Stephen Stills, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.

In his early recordings, Dennis focused on Native American culture and history. He found that he could weave stories with the context of instrumental music. This is evident in his first two albums, Hawk Dance and Many Trails.

Dennis also spent many years as a psychotherapist and recently has become a yoga instructor. He has found music to be a healer of the soul bringing peace to mind and body.
Turtle Isle and Turtle II reflect these influences.

As a Native American teacher, Dennis composed an album of traditional ceremonial songs in Sweat Lodge Songs Vol. 1. Currently Dennis is completing a vocal album, A Warrior’s Heart that is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2009.