Contributing to a trad'l IRA prior to conversion

[Guest dpereg]

I am about to convert my traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. I'd like to know if I could contribute $2,000 to the traditional IRA, convert the total IRA to a Roth and then take the $2,000 as a deduction in April. Furthermore, how much and when would I be able to start contributing to the Roth IRA.

Thanks in advance..