Originally from Rochester NY, Derek recieved a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University, and his credits included National Tours of Kiss Me Kate (Bill Calhoun), Showboat, Cinderella and Funny Girl, as well as the Italian Tour of West Side Story. He recently returned from touring the German Variete Theater both with "Parallel Exit" and as a solo performer. NY credits include performances at Town Hall, City Center, Derick Grant's "I Love Tap", Melinda Sullivan's "Gone", Tap City (at the Duke Theater, Tap Extravaganza, the ATDF's Winter Tap Intensive, the New Victory Theater, NY Fringe Festival, American Theater of Actors, The York Theater, Merkin Concert Hall, and the NYMF.
Derek is on faculty in NYC at Steps on Broadway, Molloy College/CAP21, Mark Morris Dance Group, and Marymount Manhattan College. He has also taught at Broadway Dance Center, New Dance Group and Peridance, as well as Master Classes at Universities and Professional Studio's across the US, Canada and Germany. Derek's students have performed on Broadway in such shows as Billy Elliot, Whit Christmas, 42nd Street, Mary Poppins, Dames at Sea, Gypsy, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Mamma Mia, and The Lion King, as well as numerous Radio City Rockettes. Recently, Derek coached Adam Jacobs as he prepared to play the role of "aladdin" in the new Disney musical on Broadway.
Derek is creator/performer with 2 time Drama Desk nominated Parallel Exit Physical Theatre Company in Manhattan, with which he co-created, co-choreographed and starred in their critically acclaimed tap show "Time Step" Off-Broadway. His full length rock musical Pie Eater is in development, as he continues writing plays and begins work on his next musical adventure!
