Sounds of Encouragement

Interview with Derek Vann, Pianist, Piano Teacher, Composer, Piano and Music Sales

March 05, 2021 Melissa Slocum and Friends Season 1 Episode 11
Sounds of Encouragement
Interview with Derek Vann, Pianist, Piano Teacher, Composer, Piano and Music Sales
Show Notes

Join me for this wonderful conversation with Derek Vann!

The day we recorded there were internet issues that affected the audio quality. As much as possible was done to correct the audio in post-production, but please be sure to click the links to listen to Derek's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement. Thank you for listening!

Derek Vann began studying piano and composition with his mother, Gayle Vann,
at the age of six. Derek has won numerous awards for composition, most notably
including winning the Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Contest in 2009. His entry,
entitled “Sounds of Madrid” was published by FJH in 2010. This piece was later selected
in the 2014-2016 NFMC Bulletin.
In March of 2009, Derek won the Atlanta-Bauru (Brazil) Piano Competition at
Georgia State University, whose prize involved touring 3 cities in Brazil in 2010 as a
concert performer. In 2013, Derek won GSU’s Brumby Concerto Competition, and was
privileged to perform Tchaikovsky’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Georgia State
Symphony Orchestra. In 2016, he was awarded a Scholarship for the Master Piano
International Courses by the Chopin Society of Atlanta, whose prize funded a trip to
study at Piano Courses in Paris, France and Valldemossa, Spain. In 2017, Derek
completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Piano Performance at Georgia State
University, studying with Dr. Sergio Gallo.
In addition to his piano performance career, Derek started a family young:
marrying his lovely wife, Stephanie in 2011 and starting a family to now include three
beautiful children: Ethan (9), Sydney (5), and Katelyn (1). Working at PianoWorks in
Duluth since 2012, Derek now serves as their Lead Piano Sales Rep, Print Music
Manager, and Web Store Manager. Complementing his work in sales, Derek also enjoys
teaching a thriving independent studio of over 20 students, ranging from young
beginners to adults and even fellow teachers seeking to enhance their knowledge of
advanced repertoire. As a teacher, Derek is active in NFMC Festivals and serves as VP of
Membership for North Dekalb MTA

Be sure to visit www.pianoworks.com for your sheet music and piano needs.

Derek's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30, Opus 109 in E Major
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15EFrXnj49Q

2) Rachmaninov's Prelude Op. 23, No. 4 in D Major
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VCkuCVK2Pg

3) Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJ4I-OXKd0

4) He Will Call
https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/151-he-will-call/?media=sjjc

5) The New World to Come
https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/original-songs/the-new-world-to-come/

Bonus: Here is a clip of Derek playing the Beethoven Sonata 109
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vz1Tr8qZo4

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