Dean Williams grew up in Riverdale, Illinois where he began classical piano lessons at the age of 4 under Dr.William DeYoung at South Suburban College in Lansing, Illinois till the age of 17. Throughout high school he traveled across the state placing in over 100 speech competitions in the top 6 spot among hundreds of competitors. He also played piano for the jazz band as well as the church he grew up in, Christ Temple Baptist Church in Markham, Illinois. At the age of 14 Dean branched out and began to play at other churches of diverse denominations and was recognized by Oprah Winfrey’s former music director and asked to play in a Pilsbury commercial with gospel heavyweight, “Mary Mary”. He was shortly thereafter recognized by “The Mother Of Gospel music,” Albertina Walker and received a $500 music scholarship to encourage him to continue his path in music. He has played for ISU’s jazz band under Dr.Tom Marko as well where he graduated in the Broadcasting and Sociology program in 2017. He has a passion for social justice and pure worship.
One of my favorite parts of the bible is the book of James because I was going through a trying time in my high school years and I found it spoke to me. Verses like James 1:2-4 :”Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance;” were like ministry straight to my soul.
My perfect day would be somewhere foreign and tropical surrounded by people of all races and languages worshiping God in song under the stars.
My favorite books would be The Harry Potter series and favorite movie is a tie between Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind and Malcolm X by Spike Lee.
My favorite family tradition has always just been coming together eating for the holidays under my grandmother’s home.
