Growing up in Lindenhurst, NY, at age 8, Deb began playing the drums in the public school system elementary school band. From there, she began taking private drum set lessons at age 13 with Long Island drummer, Johnathan Bailey and managed a couple of lessons with Jazz great, Louie Belson; In 1984, Deb continued her music studies at the State University of New York at Fredonia where she studied with composer and percussionist Theodore Frazeur of The Erie Philharmonic (Erie, PA); Deb graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education;
In 1989, Deb joined the Army Reserves and National Guard and played with numerous Army bands throughout the New England area. Deb served as Principal conductor for 26th “Yankee” Infantry Division Band in West Newton, MA and was the Warrant Officer Candidate until the 26th was disbanded. She then transferred to serve as the Assistant Conductor for the 215th Army National Guard Band in Fall River, MA and was finally discharged from the Florida National Guard in 2004. During that time, Deb also attended the Boston Conservatory in 1990 to begin work on a Master of Music in Music Performance. Attending the Conservatory allowed Deb to study with Arthur Press of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Neil Grover of the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Boston Ballet and Grover Percussion. In 1994, Deb went on to receive her Master of Education in Counseling Psychology at Cambridge College.
In 2001, Deb relocated to Florida and since 2002, has performed as Timpanist & Percussionist with the Ormond Beach Symphony Orchestra (Ormond Beach, FL). In December 2007, Deb began working with the 1st Baptist Church of Daytona Beach Orchestra as Timpanist and Percussionist.
Most of all, Deb thanks God for the opportunity to work with quality musicians and the gusto they have to form “Category 5”……a group of seasoned musicians weathered for the next storm……..
Equipment
Large venues: 2006 Gretsch Birch set; 8”, 10”,12”, 14”, 16” toms; 22” bass; 5” chrome Tama snare circa 1980; 14” Zildjian high hats, Zildjian cymbals 16”, 17” crash, 18” cash/ride, 20” ride, all circa 1980’s.
Small venues: early 1960’s Gretsch Mahogany set; 12”, 14” toms, 20” bass; 5” chrome Tama snare circa 1980; 14” Zildjian high hats, Zildjian cymbals 16”, 17” crash, 18” cash/ride, 20” ride, all circa 1980’s.
