Deryck Clarke, French horn

Deryck Clarke is an accomplished French hornist and passionate music educator, born in Brooklyn, NY, to a family of immigrants from British Guyana, South America. Encouraged by his mother—a concert pianist who recognized his musical talent early on—Deryck was enrolled in a gifted and talented program in elementary school, where he embraced the French horn as his instrument of choice. He later attended the acclaimed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.

Deryck received a Diploma from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, a BM from the UNC School of the Arts, and an MM from Rutgers University.

As a performer, Deryck has enjoyed a dynamic freelance career, collaborating with opera and ballet companies, symphony orchestras, early music ensembles, chamber groups, and Broadway productions.

Deryck’s passion for teaching blossomed during his summers at the New York State Music Camp at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, where he developed his educational philosophy. He went on to serve as a faculty member and Interim Music Director at the Harlem School of the Arts, one of New York’s most culturally rich communities. After earning his teaching certification in New Jersey, Deryck became the instrumental and general music teacher at Mount Vernon Elementary School in Newark, NJ, beginning in 2006. His commitment to arts education extended beyond the classroom, as he contributed his expertise to the Leadership Council of Arts Ed Newark and the Education Committee of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Now residing in Augusta, Georgia, Deryck continues to balance an active performance schedule with a deep commitment to music education. He performs regularly with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Aiken Civic Orchestra, South Carolina Philharmonic, Augusta Chorale, and Heritage Brass. Deryck also maintains strong ties to the New York music scene, performing with the Harlem Chamber Players and the American Composers Orchestra.

In addition to his performance career, Deryck is a dedicated educator, serving on the faculties of Augusta University, the Jesse Norman School of the Arts, and the Carolina Academy of Music in Aiken, SC, and is a regular substitute teacher at the John Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School.

Deryck is the founder of The Harmony Effect, an organization dedicated to supporting after-school music learning and professional development for educators. Through this initiative, he continues to advocate for accessible, high-quality music education and to inspire students and teachers alike.

With a lifelong dedication to both performance and teaching, Deryck Clarke is committed to enriching the musical landscape and empowering the next generation of artists.