Derek is a Graduate of CU Boulder's Music program and is a composer and performer on classical and steel string guitar. He specializes in composing and arranging music for solo guitar and will take requests for song arrangements. Having performed at numerous weddings, events and venues. Derek is quite experienced in guitar performance. He has his own portable sound system and will travel to your event. Derek is always the consummate professional, so awe-inspiring, beautiful music is guaranteed anytime he performs.
I would hire him again for any occasion. Was on time and stayed later than scheduled when asked.
Great musician and played exactly what we were hoping for.
I've had Derek perform at various summer events for me over the years and he has always been a delight to work with. His skill is spot-on and his passion for music is highlighted in all his performances. You don't see this level of talent come along very often. I would highly, highly recommend him.
Derek tailors his music to fit your needs and in my particular event, he learned several new songs just for the occasion. One elderly couple asked if he knew a particular song that she and her husband enjoyed, and on his break, he stepped away, listened to it on You Tube, and came back in 20 min and played it for them. They were over-the-moon excited.
I can't wait to hire him back again this summer. This guy is driven to excel like Jimi Hendrix. Seriously. He's going to be really big someday. Book him while you can!
Price Range: $200 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
Languages: English, Spanish
Derek provides his own sound system
Derek is a professionally-schooled and professional guitarist
Derek will dress to your request—from casual to formal
Derek will take requests for arrangements of songs
Derek travels to your event
Derek strives for a live show that is technically and musically dazzling as well as intimate and tasteful. He seeks to create a connection with the audience no matter its size and make the show as memorable as possible by combining guitar mastery, humor and humble honesty.
Just some of Derek's notable past performances include The Dairy Center for the Arts, Band on the Bricks, Fox Theater, Boulder Classical Guitar Society, KMG Studios, The Walnut Room, Oriental Theater, and The Denver Art Society in Denver, as well as dozens of other venues. His goal is to develop as much as he can as an artist and ultimately reach a global audience with his music.
Says Derek, "It's my goal to put as much emotion and what you might call character and magic into each of my songs. My music has dragons in it, fairies and elves, creatures from the bottom of the sea, from other planets, my music is from a place that I know well yet can only remember faint traces of." I want people to connect when they hear it. Connect to the music, to the far-out parts of themselves, to other people, to the world. That's what good music does, it makes you stop for a minute or two and go 'wait, what's all this about.' Music is such an integral part of who I am that I can't imagine life without composing and performing."
Derek has produced dozens of songs and several LPs showcasing different genres of music. His first all original guitar music album is Metaphysics. He also has an EDM album, Decagon, which features many sub-genres of original EDM. A new EP of all original, percussive fingerstyle, steel-string guitar called A Different Wavelength is available here: (link hidden) and is sure to knock your socks off.
A power outlet near the performance space is always nice.
| June 01, 2019 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Children's Birthday Party |
| March 23, 2019 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Grand Opening |
| March 25, 2017 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | DyD at Johnny's Martini Bar |
Covers
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
Across the Universe (Beatles)
BlackBird (Beatles)
In My Life (Beatles)
Strawberry Fields (Beatles)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Beatles)
Mad World (Tears for Fears)
Mazurka #47 (Chopin)
Prelude 1 (Villa-Lobos)
Steel String Covers
Drifting (Andy Mckee)
Rylynn (Andy Mckee)
Keys to the Hovercar (Andy Mckee)
Africa (Toto, Andy Mckee's arrangement)
Arial Boundaries (Michael Hedges)
Song for George (Eric Johnson)
Air Ground (Antoine Darfur)
Classical Guitar Covers
Adelita (Tarrega)
Alleman (Robert Johnson)
Allegro (Guilani)
Etude 1 (Leo Brouwer)
Etude 6 (Leo Brouwer)
Estudio 5 (Fernando Sor)
Lagrima (Tarrega)
Study 1 (Carcassi)
Study 2 (Carcassi)
Study 3 (Carcassi)
Study 4 (Carcassi)
Study 7 (Carcassi)
Study 19 (Carcassi)
Suite (Sanz)
Waltz (carulli)
Cello Suite in C (Bach)
Caprice 2 (Legnani)
Caprice 6 (Legnani)
Caprice 7 (Legnani)
Etude 1 (Villa-Lobos)
Etude 2 (Villa-Lobos)
Asturias Leyenda (Albinez, arr Tarega)
Danza Mora (Tarrega
Derek's Songs
From "Metaphysics"
Bagatelle
Eos
Inner Space/Outer Space
(Metaphysics)
Motion
Riverside Vibe
Sky Gardens
Spring Time Waltz
Water Cycle
From "A Different Wavelength"
A Different Wavelength
Dark Light
Forgiveness
La Selva
Star Maps
Andy Mckee - Trace Bundy - Alexandr Misko - Eric Johnson - Rodrigo y Gabriela - Joe Satriani - Beethoven - Classical Guitarists
Derek requires literally no extra equipment from you, the host. Good communication in what you can provide / have available is appreciated
Golden, CO 
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239 Verified Bookings Karen M. said “Michael played beautifully for our service! He did a great job. Thank you so much Michael! The Montgomery Family”
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66 Verified Bookings Katie C. said “Michael was very easy to work with and he accommodated us nicely. He did our wedding reception where he very much played to the crowd's mood. They…”
Denver, CO
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2 Verified Bookings Gail W. said “What a lovely evening! Craig's performance was perfect! I couldn't have imagined a better event!”
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3 Verified Bookings Michael G. said “I hired Gabe to play at opening receptions for my art gallery and could not have been more pleased with his music. With his classical guitar, Gabe created…”
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