After dabbling in a variety of martial arts throughout his life Derek began training Chinese Martial Arts in 2011. He has been a student of Josef Haber's since 2012. He has studied Wing Chung under Pete Nosler since 2011. He appreciates combat applications and artistic qualities. Derek is also fascinated with the healing capabilities of Chinese Martial Arts. He credits them with helping him overcome various long term health problems. Derek looks forward to improving as the years move forward and enjoys filling in to teach classes when the opportunity arises. His participation in the Flying Tortoise Beijing trip of fall, 2016 greatly informed his teaching style and martial arts practice.