Born in Kilmarnock Scotland in 1963, he started playing the flute at the age of fourteen. Having lessons from teachers Sheila Laing and Stewart Forbes.
While at school Derek was principal flute with the "Ayrshire Symphony Orchestra".
After leaving school Derek studied flute with Shelia Cochrane at Napier University Edinburgh. During his time at Napier, Derek played principal flute for the university orchestra and wind ensemble. After leaving Napier University Derek played professionally for many years in and around the west coast of Scotland.
In 2001 Derek began studying with Sheena Gordon (Scottish Chamber Orchestra) , and has attended and played in masterclasses with such players as Wissam Boustany, David Nicolson, Lorna McGhee, Paul Edmond-Davis, Peter Lloyd, Ian Clarke and Sir James Galway.
Derek has participated in the "Scottish International Flute Summer School" for the last four years, and was a participant at the "Stratford upon Avon International Flute Festival" with Elena Duran in 2003.
From 2002 Derek played principal piccolo with the "Dunbartonshire Concert Band" and toured with them to Malta and Austria. He played first flute with "Glasgow Wind Band" one of the UK's premier symphonic wind orchestras, until re-locating to Australia in November 2008.
He was the founder member and played with "Zonda Flutes" an award winning professional flute trio based in Glasgow.
Derek teaches in Sydney schools and is a flute tutor for band and orchestral camps in the Sydney area. He also teaches private students at studios in Lane Cove and Leichhardt. He is an Associate of Trinity College of Music London and has a Diploma in Music from the Open University. Derek is a member of the "British Flute Society" , "The National Flute Association of America"and "The Flute Society of NSW".
He plays in various ensembles in Sydney and recently performed Eddie McGuire's "Celtic Knotwork" as part of a presentation on celtic music at the 2009 "Australian Flute Festival". He plays on a silver Muramatsu GX with a Lafin platinum clad silver head joint with an 18 carat Adler style lip plate and 14 carat crown.
Derek is also a flute consultant for the Sydney based specialist flute company "Flute Tree" and "Woodwind Group".
