Derek's Story The extraordinary musical savant
Derek was born premature, at 25 weeks, and weighing just over half a kilogram. As a result of the oxygen therapy required to save his life, Derek lost his sight, and his development was affected too. It later became apparent that he had severe learning difficulties.
However, he soon acquired a fascination for music and sound - Derek began to teach himself to play the piano at the age of two, and by the age of four, had taught himself to play a large number of complex pieces on the piano.
At this time, his enormous potential was recognised by Adam Ockelford, then music teacher at Linden Lodge School for the Blind in London. Adam and Derek began to work together weekly and then daily, in an extensive programme of tuition that was to last for several years.
Derek first shot to fame when he was nine, playing jazz with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra at the Barbican. Many TV appearances followed, in the UK and overseas, including Japan, Germany and Australia, and three times on CBS's prestigious '60 Minutes' programme in the USA.
He has performed for the Queen on a number of occasions, and in Downing Street. Derek has had three piano concertos specially commissioned for him, which he has performed on London’s South Bank and in San Diego, California.
