Derek Daniels was born and raised in Hawaii and left at the age of 18 to pursue his dream in the entertainment, fashion and music industry. He has worked as a show producer, director, choreographer, singer, dancer, instructor, costume designer, model, DJ and a photographer.

Mr. Daniels has traveled, lived and worked around the world for over two decades in places such as New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Osaka, Vienna, Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Chicago, Miami, Rome, Barcelona, Switzerland, Belgium, Amsterdam, Moscow, Morocco, Helsinki, Singapore, Hong Kong, Guam, Puerto Rico, Vancouver, Sydney, New Zealand and Tahiti. Mr. Daniels is fluent in Japanese and French due to world travel.

Derek studied dance mainly in New York City with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center, Steps and San Joaquin concert ballet in Stockton, California. Some of his international and national credits include the Broadway musical Cats, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, The Wiz, Grease, South Pacific, Evita, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular, the television Fame, Paris Disney and appeared in numerous commercials, music videos, fashion shows and films. In addition he has worked with international acclaimed recording artists such as Grace Jones, The Pet Shop Boys, Salt ‘n Pepa, Boy George, Martha Wash, Kristen W, Pepper Mashay, Kevin Aviance, Joi Cardwell; haute couture fashion designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Kenzo, Comme Des Garcons and photographer Tom Bianchi.

Derek return back to Hawaii in 1999 and started his own entertainment production company where he now has three ongoing shows in Waikiki at The International Market Place, The Waikiki Town Center and The American Timescape show at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel. Derek Daniels Productions has worked independently for many entertainment companies including Star of Honolulu, The Navatek dinner cruise, Tihati Productions, Jack Cione's Mardi Gras Follies, More Models, Ballet Hawaii, Hawaii Ballet Theater, Diamond Head Theater, Army Community Theater, Current Affairs, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park and numerous special events and private parties.

Derek Daniels is always looking to expand his company by sharing his international experience with other companies here in Hawaii and around the world.

Freddie Jordan – Owner/Publisher Odyssey Magazine, Honolulu, Hawaii

  • "A creative, multi-talented, passionate entertainer".
  • "A true professional who upholds the highest work ethic".
  • "Handles himself with integrity and is driven for excellence and perfection".
  • "A kind, talented, ambitious man who looks at life as the party it is meant to be".

Sterling Scott Nolen – International Olympic Committee, Sydney, Australia

  • "A uniquely talented producer & choreographer with unbridled energy and infectious emotion".
  • "If you want the job done right the first time, you go to the respected Derek Daniels".
  • "He is one of a very rare breed who still loves his craft and will always go that extra mile for you".
  • "Mr. Daniels says what he means and delivers on time, on budget and with a genuine sense of humor".
  • "In a compromising entertainment industry, Mr. Daniels' integrity continues to be in tact and I will have no hesitation to use his talents again and again…and will refer him to any organization who only wants the best".

Clive West – Government Official, New South Wales, Australia

  • "An explorer that crosses boundaries, questions assumptions and faces every challenge".
  • "Energizes, organizes and brings out the best in all who works with him".
  • "If positive energy could be bottled and sold, Derek would be as rich as Bill Gates".
  • "Never gives up and remains happy regardless of the challenge in front of him".
  • "When I think of happiness…I think of Derek".

Katcha Dominique – Artist Management, Paris, France

  • "A dynamic, serious and creative person who possesses a sense of pride, faith and courage".
  • "Attentive, caring, respectful, reliable and an achiever who is alert to all projects before him".
  • "A person, who takes risk and hates to loose".
  • "Nothing looks impossible and has a free spirit for his work and recognition".
  • "Never complains and always open to challenges".

John Berger – Honolulu Advertiser "EVITA"

  • Derek Daniels (choreography) doesn't have many conventional production numbers to work with, but he captures the energy of urban Argentina with "Buenos Aires" and neatly illustrates Eva's predatory climb in "Goodnight and Thank You."

John Berger – Honolulu Advertiser "Smokey Joe’s Café"

  • Give Derek Daniels, director/choreographer/costume designer for Army Community Theatre's production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe," credit for thinking big. He uses dancers to provide continuity and brings his sense of style of panache to the show as costume designer. Daniels' production proves unquestionably that bigger is indeed bigger.