

Derek profile and its contact details have been verified by our team.
Derek
- Rate $85
- Response 2h
-
Students25
Number of students Derek has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
Number of students Derek has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

$85/h
1st lesson free
- Music Production
- Music Technology
Derek - Central Edinburgh - Music Technology
- Music Production
- Music Technology
Lesson location
Recommended
Derek is a respected tutor in our community. They are highly recommended for their commitment and the quality of their lessons. An excellent choice to progress with confidence.
About Derek
- What kind of experience do you have?
Alongside my lifelong career as an educator in schools, universities and privately, I have been self-employed variously as composer, conductor, musical director and record producer for a range of international clients, including The University of Edinburgh and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, EMI Music, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Caroline O'Connor, Sir Robert Helpmann, Sir Howard Morrison.
My work has featured in performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Royal Albert Hall and Garrick Theatre (London), Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Hamer Hall (Australia), the Australian Embassy (New York), Sala Accademica di Santa Cecilia (Rome) and Edinburgh University.
I am credited as orchestrator, associate composer, conductor or musician on 27 feature films, television documentaries, mini series, and have 33 recording credits.
I have been a frequent conductor of studio orchestras, including Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for the feature film Frauds. Many of the media to which I have contributed have themselves achieved critical and popular acclaim, including BAFTA Award (The Making of Longbird), Best Film Score (Crush), an Oscar (The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert), Triple Platinum record sales (Come In Spinner - ABC) and an Australian Aria Award nomination (Cash Landing – EMI Music).
Stars in films I have orchestrated include Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Phil Collins, Josephine Byrnes, Lee Majors, Jack Scalia, Bob Peck, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp. I worked with Torvill & Dean as arranger and pianist for their album Here We Stand. I have performed extensively as keyboardist, including over 400 performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber's show Cats (Really Useful Theatre Company) and Phantom of the Opera (Cameron Mackintosh Limited), and as musical director for independent productions.
My more recent commissions have been to arrange, conduct, mix and master the vocal and orchestral music for the Glenfiddich 21yo Whisky ad campaign, so far reaching 1.7 million hits, viewable on my YouTube channel below, and to score the music for Ruaridh M Turner's multi award winning short thriller, 'The Beast in the Storm'.
My current commissions are to compose a new 4 movement symphony for The Orchestra of the Canongait in Scotland, and a new trio for the Hindemith Trio in Parma, Italy.
Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate? Current DBS Enhanced Disclosure certification - all ages
Where and with whom did you train? Professors Nigel Osborne and Peter Nelson (PhD supervisors, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland) 2006-2011 Professors Charles Nalden and Peter Godfrey (BMus, The University of Auckland, New Zealand) 1971-1973 Mary Nathan (Piano, New Zealand) 1966-1977
Do you belong to any professional organisations? European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) Musicians Union British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA) Edinburgh University Graduates' Association (EUGA) Wagner Society of Scotland (Chair) Royal Geographical Society Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (APRA) Music Arrangers Guild of Australia (MAGA). I am also a board member of the Richard Wagner Verband International.
Tell me about some of your current students. All my current Piano and Theory students passed their 2017 ABRSM exams with Merit or Distinction. Many choose the Jazz option. I also have Music Technology students studying for the SQA.
About the lesson
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- +2
levels :
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Proficient
Children
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
I teach Music Technology for students with home studios who wish to understand the inner workings and inter-application logic. While I specialise in Cubase, I also have familiarity with ProTools and Logic. I have power user working knowledge of scorewriters Sibelius and Dorico. I also teach Piano and Theory from level Grade 5 upwards to ABRSM and Trinity syllabus, including Jazz, Popular Music and Improvisation.
Which subject(s) do you teach? Digital Music Technology, Piano, Theory, Jazz, Composition, Arranging/Orchestration, Music Technology (Cubase) and Score Programming (Sibelius, Dorico and MuseScore)
Tell me about your qualifications: PhD in Music Composition from The University of Edinburgh BMus (Distinction) from The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Winner Hollinrake Memorial Scholarship and Senior Scholarship for best student in graduate year. FTCL in Pianoforte & Composition from Trinity College of Music, London LMusTCL in Composition from Trinity College of Music, London DipTeach in School Education from the New South Wales Department of Education & Training, Australia DipTchg in School Education from the New Zealand Department of Education Teachers' Diploma from Auckland Secondary Teachers' College, New Zealand.
How much do you charge? Details of discounts for advance block bookings at (concealed information) Free initial consultation. For one-off lesson: £25 per half hour or £40 per hour, reducing to £36 per hour if booked in a block of 10 lessons
Where do you teach? Edinburgh, Scotland or online anywhere
When are you available? Late mornings, afternoons and evenings.
Which ages and levels do you teach? Over 16 - adult, Grade 5 and above, or beginners who have already achieved Grade 5 on another instrument.
Which qualifications do you prepare your students for? All ABRSM and Trinity College London University courses in Music
Describe your arrangements for online tutoring. (concealed information)
Rates
Rate
- $85
Pack rates
- 5 h: $360
- 10 h: $682
travel fee
- + $15
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Derek will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hrs
online
- $85/h
Details
For online and in-studio sessions, there is no fee for the trial lesson if you decide not to continue; otherwise it is billed as lesson 1 of a block of 5 or 10 lessons. There is no free option for in-person remote sessions.
Derek's Video
Other tutors in Music Production
-
![teacher_picture]()
Jaron
Vancouver & online- Ambassador
Ableton pro teaching all forms of electronic music production & dj'ing. all skill levels welcome, personalized to your needs!
- $100/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Osadebamwen
Vancouver & online- Ambassador
Unlock the full potential of fl studio in this comprehensive course focused on mixing, mastering, and instrumental production. learn step-by-step techniques to craft slick, radio-ready vocals and elev
- $14/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Jonathan
Toronto & online- Experienced
Music production lessons - logic pro, ableton, and more! experienced songwriter, singer, performer, and producer looking to empower your creativity!
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Anaël
Montréal & online- Ambassador
Ableton live instructor - 15 years of experience, for producers & composers in any style (electronic / acoustic / experimental)
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Tyrai
Montréal & online- Experienced
Digital music production lessons – learn to compose, mix, and sound design from scratch
- $40/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Andrew
Toronto & online- Super Prof
Certified engineer, music production top graduate (rac), songwriter, guitarist and very nice chap
- $36/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Lukas
Langley & online- Super Prof
Passionate computer-savvy theme/video game/all genres music composer with rcm piano performance honors with distinction, located in langley, bc.
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Cristian
Toronto & online- Experienced
One on one lessons for djs / learn how to dj like a pro
- $60/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Julien
Toronto & online- Experienced
Industry veteran teaches you music production, recording, mixing, & mastering in the studio!
- $70/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Mike
Moncton & online- Super Prof
30 years experience in music production: recording, mixing and mastering. i meet you where you are at and tailor lessons so you learn exactly what you need for your goals! pro tools, ableton, logic, r
- $60/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Anslem
Vaughan & online- Super Prof
Full music production: using ableton live to teach you how to record vocals, mixing and mastering a track.
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Davis
Montreal & online- Experienced
Cours de mao et beatmaking sur fl studio avec un producteur professionnel : apprentissage structuré, suivi personnalisé, replay et vraies opportunités de placement.
- $75/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Dorian
Toronto & online- Experienced
Professional music producer tutor. are you passionate about music production but feeling stuck? i'm here to help you unlock your creative potential!
- $45/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
David
Toronto & online- Experienced
Seasoned sound engineer gives private recording, mixing and mastering classes in the greater toronto area and online
- $50/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Jean-rené
Montréal & online- Experienced
Live looping with loopy pro for keyboardists: build songs solo, on stage or at home that sound like a full band (online lessons)
- $30/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Sean
Toronto & online- Super Prof
Music production basics: music production for kids and beginners (logic, ableton, protools)
- $150/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Ryan
Kingston & online- Experienced
Do you want to learn how to create an awesome, but extremely affordable home-studio? as well as learn how to acoustically treat your room, then learn how to use your gear? well let’s have a chat!
- $50/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Dylan
Toronto & online- Super Prof
Music studio owner and experienced professional audio engineer teaching you ableton live, recording, production, mixing, and mastering!
- $80/h
-
![teacher_picture]()
Julian
Toronto & online- Experienced
Learn audio production in an art driven format, where even the use of an eq, is an artistic choice. toronto, or online.
- $90/h
- 1st lesson free
-
![teacher_picture]()
Rishaal
Montreal & online- Experienced
Dj & ableton live lessons with an 18-year dj: mixing, effects, live jamming & creative workflow
- $70/h
- 1st lesson free
-
More Music Production tutors




















