Since graduating from the University of Calgary in 2002 with a BA in Canadian Studies, Michael has been working and volunteering in the field of education and youth development. He is an engaging workshop facilitator and a dynamic stage performer who brings a unique sense of style, creativity and critical thinking to his work and artistic endeavors. Michael is passionate about creating positive learning environments and safe spaces for youth to share and learn from differences. He has experience teaching English in South Korea and working with underserved youth as a peer support councilor for Connections Youth Center in Courtenay, BC. Michael has recently returned from traveling through Nepal where he volunteered in a children’s home in Kathmandu for Prisoner’s Assistance Nepal and worked on some environmental projects in a remote area of northern Nepal. He is the executive director of the Kamala Foundation, a registered Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to supporting grass roots organizations that improve the lives of women and children and support appropriate development projects that aim to protect ecosystems, preserve culture and promote responsible economic growth in Nepali communities. Michael is currently attending the University of Victoria where he is enrolled in the Professional Post Degree Program in the faculty of Education. He will be a certified history teacher by April 2008.   

Michael is a hip hop and spoken word artist. He performs as Praxis in the socially conscious and gender balanced group “Tha Declining Amphibian Phenomenon”. He has opened the stage for the likes of: 

• Spearhead - www.spearheadvibrations.com

• Ganga Giri - www.gangagiri.com

• El Vuh - http://www.elvuh.com/

• The Diversity Festival www.coastalconscious.com

• Tipper http://www.echolocation.fm/info/tipper.html

• Joshua James

• Kinnie Starr www.kinniestarr.com

• Manik/OS-12 www.myspace.com/mistermanik

 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=42714389 

Michael believes everyone has the ability to express themselves artistically. He encourages and supports youth in expanding their thresholds of strength, creativity and confidence through creating environments where sharing peer to peer is fun and empowering. 

Social consciousness and cultural context are always central elements to his workshops and discussions. He believes that youth have a unique and important vantage point with which to analyze social norms, politics and environmental issues and it is essential that they are given the space in which to share these opinions and suggestions. He has facilitated political debates as well as men's groups and discussions about a variety of social issues from gender politics and sexuality to White privilege. 

Michael is a registered permaculturalist (www.permacultureinstitute.com) and organic gardener who believes in a holistic understanding and approach to health, nutrition and our relationship with the Earth. He has completed the eight month Permaculture design and organic agriculture course offered at Linnaea School on Cortes Island.

 

Michael has had extensive experience facilitating and leading workshops through the Power of Hope (www.powerofhope.org). At these gatherings he has been known to start spontaneous rhyming poetry circles, beatboxing symphonies and articulate the beauty of the natural world. He leads workshops on: 

• freestyling (spontaneous poetry) + spoken word

• creative writing + surrealist word games

• permaculture and Earth stewardship

• plant species identification

• yoga + meditation

• consumer culture + subversion

• facilitated discussions around social issues

 
 

Michael W. Derby

1250 Foden Rd.

Comox, BC

V9M 4C4

miked@beatboard.com