Name: Derek Michael Ybarra Zion DuBay
Age: 20
Year: Sophomore
Major: Vocal Performance
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Relationship Status: Taken
Affiliation: None
What is your dream job?
To be in a movie with Meryl Streep. Wait, no! To be Prince Eric at Disneyland.
What do you look for in a significant other?
I like someone who can carry on a conversation and just be real.
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
I would definitely go back to Tanzania. It was such a… natural place. I saw a lion kill something! I saw a pack of them attack a little gazelle. They had blood on their faces and everything. And when you first see a herd of elephants, it’s like watching a a bunch of woolly mammoths walk around. It really was such an incredible experience.
What is your favorite thing about Chapman?
I really like my voice teacher and the conservatory as a whole. They have a great program here. And we have a great campus. I really like all the sculptures around school and the architecutre of the buildings. I also love how cute and adorable Doti is.
How would you describe your personality?
Outgoing, spontaneous, crazy, caring, sweet, compassionate, loving. I’m a “rules-do-not-apply” kind of guy. Rules are stupid.
What’s your ideal date?
April 25th, because it’s not too hot, and it’s not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.
Hahaha, I like making pizza. I like getting all the ingredients ready, getting the dough and everything, and then making it in the kitchen.
What’s your favorite memory from Chapman so far?
The very first weekend I had at Chapman, I went to a PIKE venue party. I don’t remember anything except for waking up on a bus in Irvine with 12 Korean people on some kind of tour of the OC. And then they had to call me a taxi home. What a great first weekend.
What are your turn offs and turn ons?
A turn off is definitely just cruelty. Someone who is really gossipy. A turn on is someone who has a kind heart; the kind of a person who will give a homeless man $5 because they want to, and is not expecting anything in return. I also like big brown eyes. Nice hair is definitely a plus.
Who is your musical inspiration?
Anybody who loves their art. My musical inspirations are people like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and Luciano Pavarotti. I respect that these people have taken a risk. In a way, I feel like everyone who pursues their passions is an inspiration. It takes balls to go out and be a musician or an entertainer. It’s kind of scary, and I admire the people that do that.