I have the privilege of having Derek as one of my most important musical mentors. Ever since I met him, he has been one of my few mainstays in my musical education throughout my life, especially during the past couple years. I am a much more emotionally and intellectually connected musician because iof him. Derek knows how to teach music mentally, academically, AND emotionally. He's the only musical educator I've studied with who really knows how to help students speak musically from their heart, and not just how to "play a song". By interacting with this authentic approach and his students (as I have), you really see a strong bond between the student and the teacher, which is very special and isn't something I've seen over my years of being a former student, and a teacher. Derek loves taking the back seat and watching his students to beyond what they think they can do, and it's a tremendous joy to see! Derek has adopted his experience touring and being in the studio as a professional musician in his teaching space. He teaches students how to truly connect musically as a band, listen communally, and play with your mind and your heart.
If you truly want to create music like the pro's, go with Derek Ferwerda. read more