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Dr. Derek Deakins is a fiddler, violinist, guitarist, National Board Certified Teacher, and orchestra conductor originally from Kingsport, Tennessee.
Derek's musical journey began with Suzuki violin lessons at the age of five and has taken him all around the world as a professional musician. Derek has performed in several foreign countries and all of the 48 contiguous United States in venues ranging from Madison Square Garden to the Grand Ole Opry.
Derek graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting and a Doctorate in Music Education, where his research centered on bluegrass fiddle pedagogy.
While living in Nashville, Derek performed with major recording artists such as The Osborne Brothers, James Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Charlie Daniels, Craig Morgan, Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs, Neil McCoy, and Blake Shelton. His television appearances include Grand Ole Opry Live, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The Jimmy Kimmell Show, and Late Night with Craig Ferguson.
Derek has recorded and produced five professional albums, titled "If I Could Give the World," "The Fiddle, Bluegrass, and Me," "Double Fiddle Time," "Where We Belong," as part of the Gravel Road Acoustic Trio, and "Country Roots." Visit Derek's music page for audio samples and purchasing information.
Derek is a National Board Certified teacher who has enjoyed working as Director of Orchestras at Wando High School in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. He also pioneered the guitar program and Advanced Placement Music Theory program. Derek is a champion of the South Carolina Coastal Fair's fiddle contest and has co-authored a music book called Fiddlin' Favorites Volume 2 for violin students.
When Derek is not teaching, you might find him playing guitar and singing as part of Gravel Road Acoustic Trio. He also enjoys performing with various other bluegrass and country groups throughout the southeast including Pinecastle recording artists, The Tim Raybon Band. You can hear Derek playing fiddle on their number 1 hit song, "Harlan Darlin'." Additionally, Derek is honored to be a musician on staff at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Click here to see pictures and videos of Derek performing.
Derek's musical journey began with Suzuki violin lessons at the age of five and has taken him all around the world as a professional musician. Derek has performed in several foreign countries and all of the 48 contiguous United States in venues ranging from Madison Square Garden to the Grand Ole Opry.
Derek graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting and a Doctorate in Music Education, where his research centered on bluegrass fiddle pedagogy.
While living in Nashville, Derek performed with major recording artists such as The Osborne Brothers, James Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Charlie Daniels, Craig Morgan, Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs, Neil McCoy, and Blake Shelton. His television appearances include Grand Ole Opry Live, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The Jimmy Kimmell Show, and Late Night with Craig Ferguson.
Derek has recorded and produced five professional albums, titled "If I Could Give the World," "The Fiddle, Bluegrass, and Me," "Double Fiddle Time," "Where We Belong," as part of the Gravel Road Acoustic Trio, and "Country Roots." Visit Derek's music page for audio samples and purchasing information.
Derek is a National Board Certified teacher who has enjoyed working as Director of Orchestras at Wando High School in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. He also pioneered the guitar program and Advanced Placement Music Theory program. Derek is a champion of the South Carolina Coastal Fair's fiddle contest and has co-authored a music book called Fiddlin' Favorites Volume 2 for violin students.
When Derek is not teaching, you might find him playing guitar and singing as part of Gravel Road Acoustic Trio. He also enjoys performing with various other bluegrass and country groups throughout the southeast including Pinecastle recording artists, The Tim Raybon Band. You can hear Derek playing fiddle on their number 1 hit song, "Harlan Darlin'." Additionally, Derek is honored to be a musician on staff at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Click here to see pictures and videos of Derek performing.