Pianist Dean Altstaetter grew up in Northwest Ohio. As a piano performance major he studied classical music with Marvin Blickenstaff at Goshen College, IN. He studied piano teaching at The Ohio State University and music theory/composition/jazz at Bowling Green State University.  He has recorded in Nashville and has toured nationally with the gospel music group, ‘Presence’ and regionally with the group ‘Signature.’  He has performed with the Vernon Neeley Quartet, Hepcat Revival, the Lima Symphony and the Lima area concert band.  He has appeared with guitarist, Jim Boedicker and saxophonist, Blue Lou Marini. 

 

As lecturer of music he served on the piano faculty at Ohio Northern University for 13 years. On the weekends he plays keyboards with the local rock band, the Hipnotix, the Fleetwood Mac tribute band, ‘Fleetwood 2 the Max,’ Toto tribute band, ‘Takin It Back’ or a retro jazz group called ‘The Pinup Project.’ He may also be seen playing jazz with the Jerry Szabo Trio, the Myles Bowers Quartet, Nathan Santos Quartet featuring Olivia Van Goor, and his own group - The Jazz Blue Trio. 

 

Dean starred June 8 and 9, 2013, in the one-man production chronicling the career and life of Liberace, who combined classical and popular music with glitzy showmanship. He was recently honored for his work in the Brent Hazelton production, "Liberace - Meet the Man Behind the Grand,” directed by Becky Engel at the Holland Theater in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Altstaetter was named Best Actor in the community theatre shows category of the Windmill Awards, presented May 27, 2014. 

 

He is the principal organist/ pianist at Trinity United Methodist Church.  In his solo performances he offers a wide range of music including vocal standards, show tunes, jazz, blues and has expanded on the traditional lounge repertoire to include classic rock, r & b and some of today’s hits by request. For a list of appearances please visit: www.playitblue.com