Dempsey began playing classical guitar at around the age of 13 before turning to electric guitar. He first gained exposure to a regional audience through appearances on the radio show “Rock’n’Folie” on Perrine FM, where he played guitar every week as part of a music blind test for listeners.
His professional career began at around the age of 18, when he was called in as a replacement for a series of concerts. This first experience opened the doors to live performance and session work. Throughout his career, he has collaborated both in the studio and on stage with various artists, including Dania Gio and Loubna Sorroche, as well as on numerous other musical projects.
Around the same period, he began teaching guitar at several local music schools in France and Switzerland, including in Geneva. At the same time, he pursued his own musical projects, particularly alongside his long-time friend and guitarist Pierre Willimann, with whom he performs an instrumental jazz and blues repertoire.
Passionate about sharing his knowledge, Dempsey quickly developed a strong focus on education. He has worked with educational platforms such as Guitariff and Guitare Live, contributed a regular column to Guitar Part magazine, and now regularly hosts masterclasses, including at Pat O’May’s Guitar Ar Camp and the Montreux International Guitar Show. He currently teaches at the renowned Swiss music school Boullard Musique.
Throughout his stage career and masterclasses, he has had the opportunity to perform and share the stage, often as a guest, with renowned guitarists such as Patrick Rondat, Norbert Krief, Johnny Gallagher and Doug Aldrich.
A true gear enthusiast, Dempsey is endorsed by several prestigious brands and currently collaborates with Yamaha, Line 6, Savarez and Invaders Amplification. He has also developed his own signature products with SP Custom pickups and Niglo guitar picks.
His deep involvement in the world of musical instruments also extends to his long-standing commitment to the Guitare en Scène festival in Haute-Savoie, where he has been one of the organisers since 2012.
