Derek Stannard
Organist / Choir Director

Derek Stannard is a Music Education major at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York Potsdam with a concentration in voice and choral music. He has been a musician in churches regionally since 1998, beginning with piano, and eventually making the natural transition to the pipe organ. Derek has studied voice with such instructors as Judy Lundgren, Debra Vanderlinde and Kirk Dougherty, and has studied piano with James Redding, Hazel Stannard and Jonathan Newell. In addition to studying privately, he has been involved in regional and college theatre. Recent productions include: pianist for 'Urinetown' with the Crane Opera Ensemble, originating the role of Sergei in the world premier of 'The Sailor-boy and the Falcon' starring mezzo soprano Stephanie Blythe, musical director for 'The Last Five Years' with the Schylerville Community Theatre, Pluto in 'Orpheus in the Underworld' with the Crane Opera Ensemble, and as a member of the male chorus in the Lake George Opera's production of 'L'Italiana in Algeri.' Derek has also had much experience working with many talented people at the Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall (Pygmalion, The Crucible, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Sweeney Todd, Meet Me in St. Louis) the Hudson River Shakespeare Company (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, Hamlet) and Adirondack Children's Theatre (Charlotte's Web). At Crane, Derek is an accompanist, and an active member of Concert Choir, Men's Ensemble, The Crane Opera Ensemble and Orchestra, and Crane Chorus. He has performed with the Early Music Ensemble and just recently was recorded playing harpsichord on the world-premier of the 'Credo in D a 8' by Puccini to be distributed nationally. Derek was raised in Fort Ann, New York, but has lived in Troy, New York City, and Las Cruces, New Mexico