Violist and violinist Derek Smith began his musical studies at the age of four on the violin. His major teachers have included Patinka Kopec, Isaac Malkin, Sylvia Rosenberg, and Roland and Almita Vamos. He has received chamber music coaching from Isidore Cohen, David Geber, Arnold Steinhardt and Michael Tree. He is the vice president and co-founder of the Sebastian Chamber Players and a member of the Rimbaud String Quartet. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.