Terence Dennis is a graduate of the University of Otago and of the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik, Cologne, Germany, where he graduated Konzertexamen with Distinction.. He is currently Blair Professor, the named Chair of Music, and Head of Classical Performance Studies at the University  of Otago Department of Music, Dunedin, New Zealand.

He has long been much acclaimed both overseas and in New Zealand for his performances, teaching, masterclasses and mentoring, especially as collaborative artist. His extensive recital partnership with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has been particularly notable.

Since 1991 he has been the official pianist for the finals of the Mobil and now Lexus Song Quests, New Zealand's premier vocal competition. His recent CD of German Lieder with tenor Simon O'Neill has been selected for international release in 2018 by DGG (Deutsche Grammophon). He has been official pianist for seven international string competitions, and guest adjudicator for regional finals of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in the United States.

Terence Dennis is a Fellow of both  the Royal Society of New Zealand and of the New Zealand Academy of Humanities.