DR DERRIN KERR
Oasis Music School Principal, Brass Teacher, Wind Teacher, Music Theory Teacher and Bass Teacher
Derrin has wide experience in music as a performer and an educator. Prior to working at Oasis Music School, Derrin was Head of Music at CQ University, Australia. During his 15 years as a tertiary music lecturer Derrin taught specialist instrumental tuition, music history, music theory, advanced jazz theory, composition, jazz and contemporary improvisation and ensemble direction. He has published in a variety of peer-reviewed music education journals.
He was a co-founder of the internationally recognised Hamilton Island Music Project and director of the acclaimed CQU Jazz Orchestra. Derrin has performed with many leading jazz artists including James Morrison, Don Burrows, Vince Jones, Don Rader, Kristin Berardi, Emma Pask and Grace Knight, and Americans Michael Tracey, Michael Davison and Rick Holland. In 2006, Derrin was a speaker at the annual conference of the International Association of Schools of Jazz, in Louisville, USA.
Derrin loves teaching and enjoys seeing people develop their musical gifts & talents.
Instruments
Trumpet, trombone, bass guitar.
Qualifications
Doctor of Education - CQ University
Master of Music - Michigan State University
Bachelor of Music - Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Previous Tertiary Teaching Positions
CQUniversity - Head of Music (2009-2013)
CQUniversity - Lecturer in Music (1999-2008)
Previous Teaching Positions
Manager of The Performers Academy - Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (2001-2003)
Michigan State University Music School = Trumpet teacher / brass quintet (1997-1998)
Meridian Winds in Lansing, Michigan - trumpet teacher (1997)
Brass Music Specialists Shop in Brisbane - Trumpet & trombone teacher (1993-1994)
Previous School Teaching Positions
Whitsunday Anglican School - Brass teacher, stage band, concert band & jazz combo director (1994-1996)
Mercy Catholic College in Mackay - Brass teacher (1994-1996)
St Mary’s Catholic College in Mackay - Brass teacher (1994-1996)
Emmanuel Catholic College in Mackay - Brass teacher (1994-1996)
Holy Spirit Catholic College in Mackay - Brass Teacher (1994-1996)
Dysart State High School - Wind & brass teacher (1994-1996)
Clermont State High School - Wind, brass & percussion teacher (1994-1996)
St Joseph’s State School in Clermont - Wind & brass teacher (1994-1996)
St Michael’s Catholic College on the Gold Coast - Trumpet & trombone teacher (1993-1994)
Aquinas Catholic College - Trumpet & trombone teacher (1993-1994)
Immanuel Lutheran College - Trumpet teacher (1993-1994)
All Saints Anglican School - Trumpet & trombone teacher (1992-1993)
Educational Programs
Jammin’ - Founder and coordinator (2006-2009) - Jammin’ enabled high school students to participate in a 3 day intensive and inspirational music making experience in Mackay, Rockhampton & Cairns.
City Campus Kids Conference with Don Burrows, Kevin Hunt & Glen Hodges (2001). A 2 day jazz program with workshops & performances.
Tours - Coordinator / Band Director / Artistic Director
CQCM Jazz Orchestra QLD Tour with Vince Jones (2006) - sponsored by ABC Local Radio & Noosa City Council - Gold Coast, Noosa, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Hamilton Island.
CQCM Jazz Orchestra QLD Tour with Grace Knight (2003) - sponsored by ABC Local Radio, QLD Rail & Noosa Lakes resort - Noosa, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay & Hamilton Island.
CQCM Jazz Orchestra Tour with Don Burrows (2002) sponsored by ABC Radio & Noosa Lakes Resort - Noosa, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay.
Telstra Blue Brothers Tour (2002) - Noosa, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay.
Raders of the Lost Art Tour with Don Rader sponsored by ABC Radio - Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay.
Events - Coordinator / Artistic Director
Asia Pacific Jazz Conference (2003) - Hamilton Island, QLD
Big River Jazz Festival – Rockhampton, QLD
Great Barrier Reef Jazz Festival (2003) - Hamilton Island, QLD
Mackay Jazz Festival (2003) - Mackay, QLD
Central Queensland Brass Festival (1998)
Dysart Music Festival (1997) - over 500 school aged participants
Refereed Publications
Kerr, D. and Knight, B.A. (2010). Exploring an Industry-Based Jazz Education Performance Training Program. International Journal of Music Education (A* Journal)
Kerr, D., Hodges, G. & Knight, B (2007). Jazz education performance training: Contemporary jazz educators and performers perceptions of performance training in the 21st century. In B. Knight, B. Wlaker-Gibbs & J. Delamoir (Eds.), Research into 21st Century Communities (pp. 249-262). Teneriffe, QLD: Post Pressed.
Kerr, D. Hodges, G. and Knight, B.(2006) An Unlikely Symbiotic Relationship: A Unique Jazz Education-Island Resort Partnership. Jazz Education Journal, 39 (3), p61-64
Whateley, G. ,Bofinger, I. and Kerr, D.(2004) Escaping to a Tropical Island in the Whitsundays. Music Forum, 10 (4) - May, ISSN 1327-9300, p.46 – 47
Whateley, G. ,Bofinger, I. and Kerr, D.(2003) Jazz Studies – A Vehicle for Edutourism. Paper presented at the The History of Jazz in the Asia Pacific Region, Hamilton Island Australia.
Hodges, G., & Kerr, D (2003). Developing a successful jazz program in a regional centre. Paper presented at the The History of Jazz in the Asia Pacific Region, Hamilton Island Australia.
Hodges, G., & Kerr, D (2003). Creating cultural and professional environments for industry focused performing arts education. Paper presented at the Reimagining Practice: Researching Change, Surfers Paradise, Australia.
Classical Brass Teachers
Arnold Jacobs - Chicago Symphony
Yoram Levy - Israel Philharmonic
Rich Illman - Michigan State University
Jazz Teachers
Louis Smith - International Jazz Artist
Rick Holland - Independent Jazz Artist
Andrew Speight - International Jazz Artist
John Hoffman - QLD Conservatorium
Glen Hodges - Tasmanian Conservatorium
Conducting Teachers
Leon Gregorian - Michigan State University