BIO

Derek John Buechel is a professional musician, DJ, and educator based out of Northeast Wisconsin.  Sit in on a performance or lesson with Derek, and his energy, passion, and love of music will become very apparent.  That love for music started at a very early age, but the love of playing an instrument did not….

Forced into piano lessons in the 3rd grade for not focusing in music class (Yes, you read that right. Forced.  Thanks mom and dad…) Derek developed a love-hate relationship with the piano.  Derek and the piano went steady until the eighth grade when he finally met the love of his life, the guitar.  It wasn’t love at first sight, but there was something there.  Taking classical guitar lessons, Derek developed his skills quickly but something was missing…it turns out that something was electricity.  The electric guitar. 

Derek’s love for the electric guitar led him to Chicago, where he studied jazz and rock guitar at Columbia College.  While at Columbia, he developed a deep understanding of music through 4 years of intensive theory, ear training, technique, and private lessons.  He even rekindled his relationship with the piano….In 2008, Derek graduated Cum Laude, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. 

21 years old, and fresh out of college, Derek took off for the west coast. It was there that he developed his skills as a working professional, consistently playing out all over Los Angeles and Las Vegas.  While gigging with his band, Derek had the opportunity to work and record with some pretty amazing people such as Mike Clink (Guns N Roses, Heart) and Alex Katunich (Incubus).  Derek performed with his band at night, and started to hone his skills as an educator during the day, working with kids and teaching private guitar and piano lessons.  While building his private lesson business, Derek came to realize he had a serious passion for teaching. 

Nearing his 30’s and missing his family (and even the weather), the LA lifestyle had run its course.  Knowing that he could be happy teaching and performing anywhere, Derek came back home to Wisconsin where he continues to do what he loves.