Harpist Debra

Harpist Debra is known for extraordinary versatility as a musician, performing on harp, flute, and other instruments, as well as exceptional vocal ability.

Her specialties include traditional Celtic music, early music, contemporary and traditional Christian music, and original compositions. Atlanta harpist Debra performs in a wide variety of venues throughout Georgia. Debra is also a Certified Music Practitioner (MHTP) and a District Instructor for American Independent Music Association. A native of Olney, Illinois, Debra began formal music training at age seven on piano and later, on flute, piccolo and recorder. She earned a B. S. in Music Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana majoring in flute. After moving to Georgia in 1993, Debra pursued graduate study in Music Ed. at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. then taught herself to play Celtic and historical harps, Irish and Baroque flute, pennywhistle, and bombarde.

Debra has performed in the ensembles Heather (traditional Scottish music 1996-7), The Goliards of Atlanta, (Medieval and Renaissance music), New Trinity Baroque (Baroque music), Siansa (traditional Irish music -since 1997). As a solo artist, Debra performed at the Georgia Renaissance Festival 1996-2008 and continues to perform for a wide variety of events and venues primarily in the Atlanta area. She is a Certified Music Practitioner, a 1999 graduate of the Music For Healing and Transition Program, providing therapeutic harp music for patients throughout Gwinnett Hospital System from 2003 to 2007, and for patients of Compassionate Care Hospice since 2009.

Debra has recorded two solo CDs of Celtic and original music, A Harp In Ivy (2000) and Harp At Water’s Edge (2002), and recorded with Kathleen Donohoe on Irish Songs You’ll Love (2002), and with ensembles of All Saints Lutheran Church, Lilburn on Gift of Grace (2003). On the newly released CD A Christmas Nightingale (2010), Debra performs Christmas carols of long ago on Celtic and bray harps, recorders, and tambourines, singing the songs in their original languages.

Quote: $450-650