Dr. Derek Deakins

Bachelor’s of Music, Belmont University
Master’s of Music, East Carolina University
Doctorate of Music, Liberty University

Dr. Derek Deakins is a fiddler, violinist, and registered Suzuki violin teacher originally from Kingsport, Tennessee.

Derek’s musical journey began with Suzuki violin lessons at the age of five and has taken him all around the world as a professional musician. Derek has performed in several foreign countries and all of the 48 contiguous United States in venues ranging from Madison Square Garden to the Grand Ole Opry.

Derek graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education and holds a Master’s of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting (East Carolina University) and a Doctorate in Music Education (Liberty University).

While living in Nashville, Derek performed with major recording artists including The Osborne Brothers, James Monroe, Mac Wiseman, Charlie Daniels, Craig Morgan, Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs, Neil McCoy, and Blake Shelton. His television appearances include Grand Ole Opry Live, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The Jimmy Kimmell Show, and Late Night with Craig Ferguson.

Derek has recorded and produced four professional albums, titled “If I Could Give the World,” “The Fiddle, Bluegrass, and Me,” “Double Fiddle Time,” and “Where We Belong.”

Derek is a National Board Certified teacher who has enjoyed working as Director of Orchestras at Wando High School in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina.  He also pioneered the guitar program and Advanced Placement Music Theory program.  Derek is a champion of the South Carolina Coastal Fair’s fiddle contest and has co-authored a music book called Fiddlin’ Favorites Volume 2 for violin students. Additionally, Dr. Deakins is honored to be a musician and teaching artist on staff at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

When Derek is not teaching or performing, he is playing guitar and singing with his wife, Lisa, in the acoustic trio called Gravel Road Bluegrass.

Visit Derek’s website for more information.