Meet Skylar - Piano and Voice Teacher

Skylar Derthick is a graduate of Westminster Choir College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Popular Music Studies and his master’s in Choral Conducting. Skylar has worked with choirs and voices of all ages, including St. Dominic’s Children’s Choir and Adult Choir, and has been a church musician for over two years, singing tenor for weddings and religious ceremonies.

Skylar began musical theater at the age of eight and has performed in hundreds of community and regional theater productions, receiving a Seattle 5th Avenue Award for Best Supporting Performer. He has also sung as a member of the Westminster Choir, NJ Voice Chorale, and the Schola Cantorum of St. Dominic’s, performing in venues such as Carnegie Music Hall and Oxford University.

Skylar studied voice science and pedagogy with renowned voice scientist Dr. Kathy Price and sang under the direction of Dr. Donald Nally, director of the four-time Grammy-nominated choir The Crossing. He also studied organ with Dr. Michael Diorio, deepening his understanding of sacred music and choral accompaniment. He teaches vocal styles in popular music, country music, and musical theater. His hope is to instill young musicians with the technical skills they need to sing and play at a high level by providing them with the fundamental tools of vocal and piano pedagogy. In his teaching, Skylar emphasizes healthy vocal technique, musical expression, and confidence-building. He believes in creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels encouraged to explore their unique voice. His goal is not only to build skill, but also to inspire lifelong joy in music-making, whether students pursue it professionally or as a personal passion.