2006 SAI Region 3
Quartet Champions
& 2007 International Finalists

Debi (Lead)

Jukebox - Helen - Debi - Dawn - Bon

Debi started out in barbershop while attending Michigan State University in 1982. Her first chorus was the Livingston Lakes Chorus, in Region #17, directed by Vicky Gibson, bass with 1975 Quartet champions Front Office Four. Vicky toted the 20 year old Debi to and from rehearsals each week, and made a wonderful and lasting impression of the Sweet Adelines world. Upon returning home to Chicago, Debi found the Edge-O-Town chapter where she gleefully sang baritone and was section leader. Her first quartet was called Celebration, later Best of Times. The original bass was the Morris the Cat lady! Remember the commercial? “Oh Morris, time for din-din!” Later that bass was replaced with a bass from Choral-Aires, who encouraged Debi to try singing with a larger chorus. Debi was still working on her college degree in Music Education, so she took a hiatus from barbershop for a short while, and when she returned, she decided to join her friend at Choral-Aires.

After working as a K-8 music teacher for 2 years, Debi moved to Miami to help support her husband (now ex) through music school. Debi was not able to teach in Miami, but worked for a man who taught her everything he knew about accounting, Debi’s current profession. While in Miami, Debi sang with Miami Magic, a small chorus in Miami Lakes, and with a quartet called The Dulcetones. After 3 years in Miami and surviving the rage of Hurricane Andrew, Debi moved back to Chicago and back into the welcoming arms of the Choral-Aires.

Debi sang with a couple of other quartets for a short time, but after singing baritone for 17 years, her highest Sweet Adelines accomplishment to date is singing lead with Surround Sound in the awesome company of Amy Brinkman and Bonnie Fedyski from Chicago Fire, and Joan Boutilier, Master Director of the Choral-Aires. The quartet never won a regional, but took 5th place their first time to International! Until she hooked up with Bon, Dawn and Helen, Debi wasn’t sure she’d ever get to repeat the thrill of competing on the International Quartet stage. Jukebox has been a great ride so far, with promises of many more thrills to come!