Derek Piquette

STYLE: Contemporary, Technique, Lyrical, Acro, Improv

CLASS DESCRIPTION: All classes start with a warmup because my class may use different parts of your body in different ways so I don’t want anyone to get injured even if they just came from 3 other classes. I usually then go into technique and/or improv depending on the class, and then into a combination. My classes are a challenge for most kids because it is physical. I will challenge the kids hopefully in a way they haven’t been before and I actually try and give them some new knowledge or a new understanding of something.

BIO: Dancer, Director, Choreographer and Teacher Derek Piquette began dancing at the young age of 10 in his hometown of Chicopee, MA. From there his dance career accelerated quickly. By the age of 16, he received full scholarships for several ballet intensives and won several National Titles. Derek then moved to Miami to follow his dreams of becoming a professional dancer, training over 50 hours a week and taught at Stars Dance Company. As a performer, he was a principal dancer in the Bridge To Artists productions of Carmen and The Maid. He has also performed in the Paul Mitchell Fashion Show and MOVE the World Charity Event. One of the most exciting experiences in his young career took place in 2015, when he competed on Season 12 of So You Think You Can Dance, finishing among the top 4 stage dancers and performing for over 37 million viewers. He followed up his appearance on the show with the So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour, performing in 70 cities across North America for over 190,000 audience members. In early 2017, Derek launched his newest project, Intrepid Dance Company, which had its first performance entitled “HER” that he directed and choreographed. Most recently Derek was the lead role in Cirque Du Soleil’s KOOZA as the “Trickster” traveling under Big Top in Australia, Singapore and China.

As a teacher and choreographer, Derek has worked for various dance organizations including On the Floor, Hit the Floor, CLI Studios, Mather Dance Company Online, Acrobatic Arts, Step Up 2 Dance, Twilight Dance Convention and Top Ten Dance Challenge where he has judged, taught, and assisted top choreographers in the industry. His career has taken him to destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Central America, Australia, China and Singapore where he has taught at over 200 competitive and professional dance studios. Since 2014, Derek choreographed more than 350 award winning pieces, including pieces for stars on Dance Moms, Disney Channel’s Backstage and So You Think You Can Dance. Derek currently teaches and assists for On the Floor: The Ultimate Dance Experience, working with young dancers all over North America and is a Core Faculty member for Millennium Dance Complex Toronto. He has also choreographed pieces and been a principal dancer in On the Floor’s Gala for SickKids Hospital in Toronto for 4 years and has helped raise over $200,000 for the ChildLife Program.

With his inspirational drive and love of dance, Derek has achieved many professional and artistic goals and helped other dancers do the same. Derek is especially focused on working with young dancers around the world, hoping to instill in them his enthusiasm for dance and inspire them to become the best they can be. A natural teacher, Derek has an exceptional way of connecting with his students, whether it be in class, through choreography or through performing. He makes a lasting impression, leaving his students touched, encouraged, and educated.