Derrick's dancing career goes back more than 25 years where
he won dozens of dance contests. Some of these were the biggest, most
competitive
and well-known contests during the height of the hustle dance craze of
the late ‘70’s. His most notable winnings include the $5,000
Fantasy Island Hustle Championship, the $15,000 Playboy International
Dance Contest, and the World's Largest Dance Contest held in Long Island,
NY at Cherries Disco where he won 2 cherry red Corvettes.
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Derrick was the first to integrate and popularize ballroom styling within
the Hustle. He is known for his uniquely smooth Fred Astaire like dance
style and sophisticated floor work. He has performed in the casinos of
the Caribbean, Westbury Music Fair and Madison Square Garden. He's also
done promotional work for IBM, Dr. Pepper, Macy’s, Bacardi, and
danced with the Ralph Lew Dance Company for 3 years. He has taught privately
and for the NY Hustle Dance Studios with Jeff and Donna Shelly.
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Derrick has returned to the dance scene after a 25-year absence as an
adjudicator and more recently as a competitor taking 1st place at the
2005 World Hustle Dance Championships in the Professional Just Hustle
with his partner Donna DeSimone. In 2006 he took 1st Place in the Hustle
Congress Pro Open Theater Arts, again with his partner Donna DeSimone.
He also took 2nd Place at the 2006 Hustle Congress Invitational Jack & Jill
with Elizabeth Darchi. | |
Derrick was voted Favorite Male Hustle Dancer in 2005 and 2006 by the
readers of Ron Bess’s DanceTalk and was again voted Favorite Male
Hustle Dancer in the First Annual People’s Choice Dance Awards
(2006).
He is currently the successful owner of Home Financial Services, a multi-state
mortgage company located in Long Island, New York. Although his business
takes up a lot of his time, Derrick tries whenever possible to give back
to a dance that allowed him to do so much. He is frequently asked to
judge and does so whenever his hectic schedule permits. Derrick feels
he's been blessed in many ways throughout his life and is most thankful
for his 19-year marriage to his wife Lynnette and his two
beautiful daughters
Teresa and Raquel.
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