Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Dennis Sichner attended Bowling Green Sate University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Later he went on to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland where he received a Master of the Arts degree. While at BGSU, Dennis studied saxophone with internationally recognized professor Dr. John Sampen. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at CWRU he served as assistant director to the Marching, Concert and Jazz bands, and began the school’s first jazz combo program.

During the 1980’s Dennis was active as a music educator where he held band director positions at local public and private middle and secondary schools in the Cleveland area. He also served as Director of Jazz Activities at Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Community College. During this time he was also busy as a freelance performer and music arranger, playing in local professional ensembles and shows while doing custom music arranging for both professional and school bands.

As his career transitioned from teaching to an emphasis in performing and writing, Dennis received instruction from nationally recognized teachers and composers including Elliott Del Bargo and Marilyn Shrude.