New Team Member: Dr. Derek Brown

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Derek Brown, Director of Music Programs, to our team. Derek Brown is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences that inspire creativity, curiosity, and community. He joined Pearl Arts as Director of Music Programs in 2026, bringing experience as an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, educator, and creator of the innovative “BEATBoX SAX” project. Derek has performed and taught clinics in all 50 states and more than 25 countries, earning over 30 million social media views. Before joining Pearl Arts, he served as Director of Jazz Studies at Abilene Christian University. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance and jazz studies, and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition from the University of Southern California in 2025.

“Music has opened incredible doors in my own life, and I’m excited to be part of an organization that works to open those same doors for others. Pearl Arts believes that access to music should never be limited by financial circumstances, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help create programs that not only develop great musicians, but also inspire creativity, foster meaningful connections, and strengthen our community through the power of music.” – Dr. Brown