About me:
I was born at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. From there i began my trek around the world. Me and my family (4 sisters, 1 brother, mom, dad) have lived in Illinois, Germany, Japan, California, Texas, and Virginia...spending most of the time in Germany (Ramstein air force base) and Japan (Yokota air force base).
I've been singing all my life. Influenced by my mom's love of opera (Kathleen Battle and Jesse Norman) and my dad's love of jazz (Coltrane, ect.), I kinda found my own voice. I am a self taught singer. I grew up in church and honed my craft there. I also joined chorus in high school, but my first love at the time was trombone.
When I went to college, I majored in Biology Pre-Med and joined all the choirs (univercity, gospel, and concert choirs). I loved Biology and planned on going to medical school, getting married, kids, ect...But before I made that commitment, I wanted to make sure I didn't have any regrets. So, I asked myself a very important question. "What do you love to do?" The answer was easy. "SING!" The next question was "Where do singers go to become STARS?" That answer was easy too. "NEW YORK!" So i bought a one-way ticket to New York (actually Newark and then took a bus to New York) and started my life here. I didn't know anyone and had no place to stay, but i knew it was the right decision. I stayed at the YMCA for three weeks where i saw a couple "getting it on" in the room across from mine on the first night! So i got a job at TGIF where i met these kids who were auditioning for RENT. I hadn't heard of the show, but decided to go andmy audition ended up being on the evening news. I thouhgt that was the coolest! Well, since they liked me, i figured i should take some kind of acting class. So i took one and met this girl who got me a new job where i met this other girl (she had a national dunkin doughnut's commercial) who introduced me to my former agent and then the ball FINALLY started rolling.
I've been fortunate enough to work regionally in Weston, Vermont; Salt Lake City, Utah; Florida's Broward center and North Shore Music Theater; and other places doing some good shows: AIDA (Mereb),Smokey Joe's Cafe (Adrian/Victor), Memphis (Gator),Ragtime, and Hello Dolly!. I've also worked with some great people including David Brian (keys for Bon Jovi). All of that has led me here.....BROADWAY!
I am currently playing the role of "The Comfort Councelor" "Mitch Mahoney!" It has been such a blast doing this show. I got to sing on "The TODAY SHOW" and I SANG AT THE TONY'S! THE TONY'S! MY SONG AT THE TONY'S! I cannot tell you how AMAZING that was. Who knows what's next for me!
ahh i just saw you in Little Mermaid! I was so excited to realize it was you, because i saw you in Spelling Bee way back when... and it was just like hey i know that guy, he's amazing! you rock. :)
Hey Derrick. So how was opening night? When I saw you in a preview performace on December 13th, I thought that you did really well. You and Tyler were two of my favorites (besides Sierra Boggess and Sean Palmer). You two were so funny. Keep up the great work!!!
Hey Derrick..I dont know if you remember me from the spelling bee days but I just wanted to tell you a week or so ago I saw The Little Mermaid and you were my favorite part of the show! cant wait to see it again! Hope everything is well =)
i went to go see the little mermaid a while ago and the fact tht flotsom and jetsom actually have parts in the show was amazing...lol i think if i were to do one of them parts as soon as i leave i would take one of those costumes with me haha..seriously good job on the show Shane
Hi Derrick! I am not sure if you remember me. I met you after you did your show and i was telling you that I lived in florida and was going to school down there. I just moved to New York and I am studying Television and Film. I hope to volunteer at Broadway some time soon. Good luck with everything. Love always Mikaela
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