Derek Michel is a restorer and maker of violin family instruments operating out of his home workshop in West Sayville, New York. A Long Island native, Derek grew up playing violin in various school and youth orchestras along the south shore. He is a graduate of the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he first learned the craft under the direction of Charles Woolf and Sanghoon Lee. After school he worked at David Gage String Instruments in New York City and then trained under Jerry Pasewicz at Triangle Strings in Raleigh, North Carolina where he further honed his restoration skills.

Following the completion of his employment in Raleigh, Derek moved permanently back to New York. Today he focuses on providing professional set-up, repair, restoration, and rehair services on instruments and bows for the eastern Long Island community. His experience, knowledge, skill, and dedication to the craft ensures the highest degree of quality and integrity. He is a member of the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) and the Violin Society of America.