Siblings Sing in the Name of Music Education

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside got a lot more rockin’ May 2 with a performance from sibling duo Derik and Riana Nelson, two members of the pop-rock group Derik Nelson & Family. The performance is part of efforts made by the Redlands Community Music Association (RCMA) to do youth community outreach through their Music in the Schools program, and falls in line with what Derik Nelson & Family does through touring, which is raising funds for music education in schools. The two weeks of assemblies for the program began at the end of April. The band will be touring through multiple schools in the Redlands, Yucaipa, and Moreno Valley areas. “Studies show that kids involved artistically and musically do better in school, they have higher test scores, they have better social interactions,” said Valerie Peister, director of community engagement for RCMA. “Our mission is music for everyone, and that means people of all ages, especially youth because if we get them listening to music at a young age, that’s hopefully something that will be with them their entire lives. It helps people express themselves, enjoy themselves, it lifts their spirits. We really believe in the power of music.” Members of the clubs gathered at the main clubhouse in Redlands on May 2 to watch a 45-minute set from Derik and Riana. Their younger brother and third member of the band, Dalten, was unable to attend, but the Nelsons were able to bring some friends, like Hairy Gary and Bernardo the Bat, to help the kids sing along. The Nelsons first began singing together when they were younger and realized audiences loved seeing them perform together. What first started small has now turned into three million views on Derik’s YouTube channel, acting and singing gigs on popular shows like ‘Glee’ and ‘Modern Family’ and a signing last November with prominent booking agency ECE Touring. Their usual performances on tour involve light shows and video displays. “My sister is an amazing manager and my brother is an amazing technical wizard and video designer,” Derik said. For their performance at the Boys and Girls Clubs, however, Derik and Riana took a more acoustic route, using the help of their furry “animal actors” to teach the kids musical topics such as harmonies, and how to treat one another with kindness and respect. The duo also performed a few mainstream songs that the kids would know and be able to sing along to, like ‘Uptown Funk’ by Bruno Mars and ‘Let It Go’ from the musical ‘Frozen,’ which was an audience request. Their mission, Riana says, is not only to bring entertainment to audiences, but also to help fundraise for school performing arts programs. “We grew up in public school and we felt very passionate about being able to give an opportunity to other public schools to fundraise through our concert program where we would split a portion of the ticket sales with the school, and they would be able to put it toward whatever they wanted: choir, band, drama, et cetera,” she said. Joy Juedes, development director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside, said the kids really enjoy interactive sets similar to what Derik and Riana put on because it helps them to participate. “We like to have outside groups come in, performers, things like that, because it shows the kids something new, something unique, especially having to do with arts,” Juedes said. “Especially anything interactive. That’s how kids are.” Riana said the best way to keep up with the band would be to join their mailing list through deriknelson.com, where updates can be found. The band is also very active on social media, through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The band will continue to tour about the West Coast and Midwest for the duration of the year, while they prepare for a 100-date tour in 2018 through ECE.