Dennis is a percussion specialist in drumset performance and jazz history, he endorses Vic Firth Sticks and Sabian cymbals. He has been involved in music since 1967 when he played his first professional job. He made an appearance at the 1977 Notre Dame Jazz Festival and then headed to Los Angeles, where he lived and performed until 1980. His performance credits include Steve Allen, Richie Cole, Duffy Jackson, Warren Hill, Mike Metheny, Bobby Watson, Louie Bellson, and Joe Lovano.

Since returning to Iowa in 1980, he has been performing with Daugherty McPartland Group, Craig Erickson and his own groups. He toured Mexico in 1988 and was chosen as a cultural ambassador for the state of Iowa to Russia in 1991. He performed at the IAJE jazz conference in New Orleans in 2000. Dennis released his own solo project, "Off the Beaten Path", in Spring 2000.

In addition to performing, Dennis provides in-depth drumset study and jazz history instruction for both students and band directors. He's also the director of a music program for the Iowa Arts Council entitled "Schoolhouse Jazz".

He is the percussion instructor at Kirkwood Community College and Indian Hills College. He has also taught at the University of Iowa and Cornell College. Dennis has a BA in Sociology, with a Minor in Music, and an MA in Music from the University of Iowa.