Derek Vaden

Derek Vaden is a Kansas native who has played music professionally since 2011 and received his degree in Bluegrass Performance in 2009. He tours nationwide with The Larry Stephenson Band, The Darren Nicholson Band, and the Bluegrass Cardinals Tribute band. Though bluegrass is his passion and profession, inspiration comes from jazz, country and western, old time, and classical genres, as well. He enjoys working in the recording studio as a session musician and producer. Banjo is his primary instrument, and he is proficient on guitar, mandolin, and upright bass, and is comfortable teaching all of these instruments. Derek has started teaching more in the last several years and truly enjoys doing it every chance he gets!