Derick Sebastian

Derick Sebastian was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Maui.  He was forced to grow up quickly due to the loss of his dad when Derick was only three years old.  He has endured a life of obstacles and dealt with adversity, challenges and health issues.  However, even at a very young age, Derick fully realized that he needed to fend for himself.  One of four siblings raised by a single mom, Derick has definitely come into his own.  He has grown, matured,  and become a dedicated husband and loving father of two very young boys.  Derick and his wife have been blessed yet again and are now expecting their third child.  With his God-given talent, Derick is also making his mark in the entertainment world.  During his younger days, he had a great passion for sports and experienced much success in football, baseball and track.  Unfortunately, health problems compromised his ability to truly excel, and this led to much frustration.  Fortunately at that time, Derick became mesmerized by the ukulele and decided to make it a major focus in his life.  He took his focus to a level many of us can only imagine.  He decided to not just play this little four-stringed instrument, but to master it.  As a result of many influences, but primarily due to his strong will, determination, and countless hours of practice, Derick has achieved his goal.

Let’s go back to the shores of Ka’anapali Beach on Maui in 1996.  Here comes a shy eighth grader with an ukulele in tow, walking up to the stage of the Hula Grill’s Ukulele Players Contest.  A star was born that day.  An excerpt from a quote by the Program Director of radio station KPOA 93.5 FM reads, “You could tell back then that this young man was different, that he would make a difference in the ukulele universe.  We have watched him mature into a fine young man, husband and father.  Wait until Carlos Santana hears Derick’s rendition of Europa.”  Who knew back then when this quote was made that it would become a reality Derick in the summer of 2009.  At a recent performance at Hula Grill, Derick had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Carlos Santana.  Mr. Santana wanted the opportunity to meet Derick Sebastian after Derick’s performance.  Although he may have not heard Derick’s version of Europa, Mr. Santana spoke with Derick and expressed his awe of Derick’s ukulele-playing skills.  You might say he was more than impressed.

Nearing the halfway point of 2010, nothing has slowed down for Derick.  The most recent achievement of his musical career was his nomination as a finalist for Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. His full-length CD, “From His Heart,” was one of the five albums nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year, Best Instrumental Performance.  Na Hoku Hanohano Awards is considered to be Hawaii’s equivalent of the Grammy Music Awards.  Winners will be announced at the ceremony May 30th.  Derick was also recently asked to perform on the biggest stage of his career.  Upon meeting the owner of a major league baseball team during one of his regular performances on Maui, the owner suggested that Derick perform the National Anthem as an ukulele instrumental.  Impressed by Derick’s skills and being true to his word, the MLB team owner sent Derick’s name to the team’s Program Director for consideration.  Derick later received a call and a date was confirmed for him to perform at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ home game on June 9, 2010.  Almost seventeen years ago, one of Derick’s childhood dreams was to be somehow affiliated with a major league baseball.  As fate would have it, Derick’s dream is about to come true. 

Derick is now sought-after for his ukulele prowess. He travels throughout the mainland to perform and hold instructional classes and workshops.  Due to great demand, he continues to expand his travels and has recently received invitations to also travel abroad to perform.  Derick continues to work hard at his music and at what he believes in.  He utilizes his work ethic as a means of escape, to cope with life, and to simply express his humble self.  Derick hopes to make a difference not only in his life, but in the lives of those around him as well.

In his own words, Derick will always contend:  “My dream is to use music as a God-given gift to reach out, help and inspire the world."  As humble as this young man is, just know that this “quiet thunder” is well on his way to accomplishing what he set out to do – to master the ukulele and live his dreams.

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