Derek received his B.A in Vocal Performance (Berea College, KY) and completed his studies for M.M in Music Theatre & Opera Performance at Southern Illinois University. Aside from directing and music directing throughout Southern Illinois, Derek teaches voice, piano, and music theatre in his private studio. 

Professionally, Derek studied and performed internationally, residing in Salzburg, Austria, where he performed as a soloist, in choral and operatic works, and instrumental arrangement for small orchestral ensembles. While in Europe, he performed throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy, where he even performed for the Pope. In the United States, he has worked for regional professional theaters such as McLeod Summer Playhouse, Jenny Wiley Theatre, and Lincoln Amphitheatre.