Making melodies on the court

Bryce Alderton

The same device musicians use to help attain rhythm rested in Billy

DeRango’s right hand, raised above a handful of impressionable young

tennis players during a recent workout at Newport Beach Tennis Club.

The youngsters tapped their feet on the concrete, ready to stroke

the next forehand or backhand at the baseline before inching toward

the service line.

But they couldn’t swing too hard or creep toward the net too fast

or slow. They had to follow the “click” ... “click” ... “click.”

The slow, medium and fast drum beats emanating from the device is

just one way DeRango teaches kids how the principles of music,

specifically rock ‘n roll, relate to tennis.

“Your feet looked good, but your racquet speed needs to increase a

bit more,” DeRango told one of his students during the workout. The

instructor followed with the rhetorical question to the group of

five: “What gear is it?”

A passionate musician and tennis player -- he is a singer,

songwriter and vocalist who owns his own production company, DeRango

has melded his two loves into a philosophy that stresses balance.

What resulted is the “Feel the Heat” junior tennis program at

Newport Beach Tennis Club, where participants are rewarded for their

attendance and subsequent progress while gaining access to a

relatively new enclave on site.

DeRango wanted to give players a place to socialize with one

another, where they can track their progress and, eventually, view

their swings on video.

Thus he created the School of Rock & Roll Tennis, a designated

three-room building in the middle of the club where students can,

among other things, learn the correlation between music and tennis

and how to apply it to their games.

A separate lounge provides ample space to complete homework and,

in the near future, access to a virtual reality tennis video game. A

circular wooden table stands in the middle of the room with a

synthesizer resting next to a tennis magazine.

Photographs of Elvis Presley hang on red walls that contain

signatures of pros Rick Leach and Brian MacPhie, the latter of whom

played for the Newport Beach Breakers in their inaugural season in

2003. Adam Peterson, the coach of three-time Grand Slam champion

Lindsay Davenport, dropped by the center a few weeks ago and signed

the wall, said DeRango, who came to the club a year ago from the

Racquet Club of Irvine.

“Kids need a place to hang out and feel worth,” said DeRango, a

Newport Beach resident who previously directed junior programs at the

Racquet Club of Irvine. “There are goals, challenges and rough roads

out there, so I want to teach the foundations of life and tennis.”

The connection between music and tennis helps players remain calm,

DeRango said.

“Just like there are four beats in a measure, there are four

fundamentals to remember before striking the ball,” DeRango

explained. “You prepare early, set your feet, push off, pivot hips

and shoulders and recover to the perfect court position, just like

the beat of music to keep composure and harmony.”

Ty Hack, 10, of Corona del Mar, has already started making the

connection between music and tennis. He started playing tennis a year

ago and begun learning guitar three weeks ago.

Hack said footwork is important.

“Rhythm keeps feet moving at a certain beat ... you’re always

moving,” Hack said.

Carolyn Strom, 10, whipped a two-hand backhand down the line to

coincide with the rapid-frequency beat -- the greatest of three

levels -- controlled by DeRango.

Strom has played tennis for two years with different instructors,

but said DeRango is unique.

“He is very enthusiastic,” Strom said with a grin.

Strom’s mother, Elizabeth, watched her daughter pound a few more

forehands as the final minutes ticked away in the twilight.

The family moved from Atlanta to their current Newport Coast home

and started Carolyn in NBTC camps last summer.

Elizabeth Strom has already noticed a difference in her daughter’s

play.

“She has improved tremendously,” Elizabeth Strom said. “We have a

lot of tennis experience, but I’ve never seen teaching this way. Kids

are motivated.”

Even adults at the club have picked up on DeRango’s teaching and

the impact he’s had on the club’s youth.

“Billy is a wonderful human being and an incredible instructor,”

said 55-year-old Bruce Malloy, who joined Newport Beach Tennis Club

12 years ago and has been play- ing the game 28 years in all.

Malloy, who taught the sport off-and-on for 10 years, met DeRango,

with his shoulder-length hair, eight months ago.

“He doesn’t look like a tennis guy. At first I thought, ‘Who is

this guy and what are you trying to [teach] me?’” Malloy said. “He is

the kind of guy where success doesn’t matter as much as being

passionate about tennis and maintaining integrity.”

“If you show up, you make it,” said DeRango.

DeRango said he averages roughly 100 students a month for his

classes, which normally meet for four hours Monday through Saturday

afternoons.

Then there is the center, which brings as many tennis concepts and

children together as there are different forms of music.

Rock bands have been known to play during ceremonies recognizing

childrens’ tennis accomplishments, Malloy said.

“These kids are rolling on the dance floor,” Malloy said. “It is a

family thing where mom and dad are supporting the effort and having a

great time with their kids.”

The good times will roll on when the center stages its official

grand opening from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 26.

A tennis clinic and exhibition, along with a fastest-serve contest

and chances to meet with celebrity guests are among the activities

slated for the event, open to all members and the public.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (714)

743-4596 or (949) 644-0050.