Dr. Derrik Nelson has served as the professor of music composition, theory, guitar, and bass guitar at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Having graduated with his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition from The University of Kentucky, Derrik studied composition with Professor Joseph Baber, while also teaching undergraduate Music Theory courses.

Derrik also holds a Master of Music Composition & Theory from The Florida State University, as well as a Bachelor’s of Music Education, with an emphasis on Classical Guitar & Choral Education, from the University of Southern Mississippi.

While attending The Florida State University, Derrik studied with Dr. Ladislav Kubik and Dr. Mark Wingate, and was a featured composer on a number of SCI New Music recitals. A few of his performances included Mists for Vibraphone, Viola, & Cello; Master, Protector, Redeemer for Soprano & String Quartet; Psalms of the Sons of Korah for Solo Harp; Quintalogues <<^>> for Steel Pan and String Quartet; Good Eats for Fixed Media; and his Master’s Thesis, Symphony #1 for Chamber Orchestra.

During his time at The University of Southern Mississippi, Derrik studied composition with Mr. Luigi Zaninelli, Dr. James Schlater at Mississippi College, and Dr. Dan Shore at Xavier University in New Orleans. He also has collaborated with Dr. Nick Ciraldo, professor of guitar at USM, while writing a number of pieces for guitar, including his Fantasia for Flute, Guitar & Cello; a Sonata for Violin & Guitar; and Three Fantasias for Solo Guitar, all of which were performed during his time of study at USM.