For the past five years the 16-year old with a passion for dance has been supported by the charity, which helps disadvantaged children get the most out of their education.
Next week Derek will perform a fusion of native Aboriginal and contemporary dance alongside his group Djinna Maara Moorditj at Expresstival in the city, with proceeds from the event to go to the Smith Family foundation and Mann Inc.
‘I feel honoured to be performing and it should be a wicked event,’ Derek said.
‘The Smith Family has helped me so much with my education and I hope to go to WAAPA and study dance.’
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READ NOWThe free Festival will be in Forrest Place on October 17.
It will feature some of Perth’s best new artists and aims to empower the disadvantaged youth and the homeless through music and arts.
The event supports Anti-Poverty Week, which runs between October 12 and 18.