Welcome to

The Guitar Room

A home for music, creativity, life…

Learn to Play

Guitar

Drums

Bass

How Derek Teaches

Music is a Language

Derek teaches by creating a learning environment that is a musical dialogue with the student. Eventually they learn their musical language in an auditory and an instinctive manner, just like they learned their first language. Afterwards they learn to read and write the language they already know.

Listen

Gain an atuned ear to listen to the dialogue in music

Speak

Participate in the dialogue by finding your voice with the instrument

Read

Read the music of others and enjoy the ability to play along

Write

Write and compose your own music to express yourself creatively

Reach your Goals

All ages and experience levels welcome

Beginners and Youth
Derek enjoys developing a relationship with student and parent and through patience and kindness they achieve their musical goals.
Experienced Players
Take your playing to the next level by learning from an experienced professional who has played with Chuck Berry, Cher, Cyndi Lauper and more. Derek's students have gone on to professional careers of their own.
I have played with many well-known artists on stage and in the studio but teaching guitar is still my greatest joy.
Derek Ferwerda, Music Instructor
About Derek

Transformations

People are transformed in a supportive environment where they are free to come alive

Testimonials

Derek Ferwerda taught me many things when I studied guitar under him. The most important thing I learned from Derek, which to me separates him from other music instructors, was to listen. I learned to hear music and then to play it with feel. I learned to listen before I learned to play. I learned to play before I learned to read. Derek took me through guitar the same way people learn to communicate. Listen then speak. Speak then read. Derek's method not only kept an easily bored teenager interested through the frustrating stages of gaining the physical coordination to play the guitar, it also laid a foundation for me to grow in every aspect of life: starting small and building on previous success. Derek's seemingly unorthodox approaches to learning are at their core the most orthodox and successful ways of learning there are. Learning guitar from Derek was not only fun, but he taught me to work hard in order to achieve a goal. I am grateful to have him as an instructor and friend.

Harrison Hudson

Derek loves teaching, and he really loves people. Before our lessons, I played music using my head and my hands. Derek taught me to play from my heart.

Alex Young

Derek is an incredible teacher, role model, and friend to all he encounters. I was just in middle school when he saw my heart trying to find my place in this world, and he taught me how to express it through music. Now, ten years later, music is my creative expression and my heart, and I give all of the credit to Derek showing me how. He is more than a guitar teacher, he is an inspiration.

Annie Carper

There are many things you could hope to find in a mentor or a teacher. And, in most cases we have all found our checklist is far from being complete. I think you'll come to realize you were selling yourself short with Derek and what he offers as a mentor, teacher, and as a friend to his students. I wouldn't be half the player or person I am today if it wasn't for his coaching and patience not just on my instrument but in life. His methods are far from orthodox, but there are plenty of teachers like that around so why would we need more? If you simply wanted the norm you could get a book or watch youtube and very easily teach yourself how to play chords or songs on guitar. But if you want to be a musician and know how to shape tone and be able to play with other people and engage through your instrument the only thing better than Derek would be getting taught by another one of his students. His impact in my life both musically and as a man is immeasurable. So... what are you waiting for?!

Anthony Pasqualone