Piano with Derek K.

Hi there! My name is Derek and it's nice to meet you (virtually, at least!). I started playing music as a young kid, teaching myself harmonica then gradually making my way through piano and guitar. The importance of having some musician role models and teachers along the way, was such an important factor to my own growth. I have found that through my lifetime, music has been the one constant that keeps me grounded, focused, and feeling good and it's truly my honor to help spread that to other people. I have taught music professionally for about 15 years, gigging and growing my own talents in between. I guide my students with a focus on what their drive and ways of learning may be, and enjoy the challenge of peaking their interest just enough to keep them practicing and increasing their talents. Whether it be a 53 year old beginner, a 10 year old intermediate student, or a child on the autism spectrum who responds brilliantly to this musical world...I continue to love the challenge of finding each student's "ah-ha' moment and running wild with it! Jazz theory, fundamentals, blues, rock, pop, R&B, Disney and everything in between!