Derek began his composition journey during 2021 when he took his first digital music production class. Inspired by the experience, he has gone on to create songs both inside and outside of school, often spending days and weeks trying to perfect his melodies, drawing inspiration from artists such as Pink Floyd, Duster, Radiohead, Billy Joel, and Elliott Smith.
During his time at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan CT, Derek’s leadership as President of the Radio Club, 91.9 FM WSLX, has reinvigorated the program.
In 2023, Derek received the Departmental Distinction in Music award at St. Luke’s School, and in 2024, received the St. Luke’s School Band Service Award for four years of service, as well as the John Phillip Sousa award, which “recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.”
Derek Levy is a Student at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. His primary instruments are the Bassoon, of which he has been playing for eight years, and Piano, which he has played for 2 years. He has attended the Manhattan School of Music Precollege program, where he was the Principal Bassoonist in the Symphony Orchestra. Derek has studied Bassoon under professional Bassoonist, Harry Searing, and Piano with acclaimed producer, Larry Edoff.
Derek began his composition journey during 2021 when he took his first digital music production class. Inspired by the experience, he has gone on to create songs both inside and outside of school, often spending days and weeks trying to perfect his melodies, drawing inspiration from artists such as Pink Floyd, Duster, Radiohead, Billy Joel, and Elliott Smith.
During his time at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan CT, Derek’s leadership as President of the Radio Club, 91.9 FM WSLX, has reinvigorated the program.
In 2023, Derek received the Departmental Distinction in Music award at St. Luke’s School, and in 2024, received the St. Luke’s School Band Service Award for four years of service, as well as the John Phillip Sousa award, which “recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.”
Derek brings “both ability and dedication to his growth in music. He demonstrates unusual degrees of loyalty, cooperation and conduct, and shows a commitment to excellence in digital music production.
Outside of school, he has worked with patients with dementia at a local retirement community, utilizing music from their teen eras to help reinvigorate withering areas of the brain.
Derek’s expertise in both performance and composition has granted him spots in music programs, such as the Bassoon Intensive at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Over two summers at Interlochen, he would sharpen his talents with renowned bassoonists such as Benjamin Kamins, Eric Stomberg, and Leigh Muñoz. In the summer of 2022 he attended the Berklee College of Music Film, TV, & Videogame Scoring Program at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where he collaborated with other musicians to score scenes from various forms of media. During the Summer of 2023, he spent 8 weeks studying jazz and musicianship at the Berklee College of Music Aspire Program in Boston, MA. Beginning April 2024, Derek began working at Westport’s PopUp Bagels, which has won Brooklyn Bagelfest ‘Best Bagel’ two years in a row, and was featured in the New York Times. In the Summer of 2024, Derek was a volunteer at KEYS music camp in Bridgeport, CT, Which is a non-profit organization that guarantees music education for all. He has volunteered, assisted, and played Jazz Bassoon with accomplished pianist and Berklee College of Music Alumni, Matthew Detroy. The semester of Fall 2024 will be spent at UCD in Ireland, as part of Northeastern’s N.U.in program.
Outside of school, he has worked with patients with dementia at a local retirement community, utilizing music from their teen eras to help reinvigorate withering areas of the brain.
Derek’s expertise in both performance and composition has granted him spots in music programs, such as the Bassoon Intensive at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Over two summers at Interlochen, he would sharpen his talents with renowned bassoonists such as Benjamin Kamins, Eric Stomberg, and Leigh Muñoz. In the summer of 2022 he attended the Berklee College of Music Film, TV, & Videogame Scoring Program at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where he collaborated with other musicians to score scenes from various forms of media. The Summer of 2023 will be spent at the Berklee College of Music Aspire Program in Boston.
