Beyond his performances, Derek is a highly sought-after teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator known for his creative vision and technical expertise. His choreography credits span a variety of high-profile projects, including Jennifer Lopez’s It’s My Party tour, The Next Step tour, Disney’s Backstage, Family Channel’s The Next Step, and the Netflix film Work It. Derek also performed with the ensemble in two seasons of Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes, cementing his place as a versatile and experienced performer in both television and live stage productions.
In 2022, Derek choreographed for New York Fashion Week and joined Universal Music Canada to creatively direct and choreograph for rising star Rêve. This included her nationwide tour and the creation of music videos like “Tongue” and “Whitney.” One of his career highlights was assisting Tony Award-winning choreographer Chris Gattelli on the Emmy-nominated Schmigadoon number “With All Of Your Heart,” which featured Oscar winner Ariana DeBose.
Derek’s work continues to thrive in the entertainment industry, with recent projects including a Netflix film with Amy Schumer set for release in 2025 and co-choreographing the music video for Grant Knoche’s Intrusive Thoughts alongside Tori Caro.
With over a decade of experience, Derek has taught at more than 500 prestigious dance studios, conventions, and companies across 16 countries. His passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers has solidified his reputation as one of the most respected and sought-after instructors in the dance industry.
