Derek Sherinian

Name:	Derek Sherinian
Height:	5' 11"
Hair:	Brown
Eyes:	Brown
Equipment:	Korg Synthesizers

Derek Sherinian, a California native, started playing piano at the age of five. "I started off playing classical...and then I got into Elton John and listening to pop records." He regards his training as, "a hybrid of formal and self-training." In his junior year of high school he received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, which he attended for three years, where he was able to jam with musicians like William Calhoun ( ex-Living Colour) and Al Pitrelli (Savatage).

After leaving Berklee, Derek hooked up with Buddy Miles of the legendary Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies. Derek got his first break in 1989 with Alice Cooper to tour in support of his platinum "Trash." After doing a second tour and album with Alice, Derek was hired to tour with KISS which included being on their Alive III album. Says Derek, "I have been very fortunate to have been exposed to legends like Alice Cooper and Gene Simmons at an early part of my career. I carry that invaluable experience with me every show I play."

Derek says his biggest influences are Van Halen, Howard Stern, Steve Morse, and Allan Holdsworth. In his off time, Derek plays in his side project, a blues band called Ethyl Mertz, and currently lives in New York City.