Biography
Debby Michael is originally from the small town of Laurel, Delaware. She grew up in a musical household and began playing the piano at the age of five. Debby developed an interest in the violin after attending a Salisbury Youth Orchestra concert in Salisbury, Maryland when she was nine years old and began taking violin lessons shortly after. A few months later, Debby auditioned successfully for the Salisbury Youth Orchestra and continued to play in that ensemble through her high school years. At the age of fifteen, she was invited to join the SYO's sister orchestra, The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra. Debby also played in the Delaware All-State Orchestra for six years, beginning when she was in seventh grade.
In the fall of 2005, Debby enrolled at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. During her time there, Debby studied violin and viola under Dr. Johannes Dietrich. She played in the Lebanon Valley College orchestra for four years and served as the concert master of the orchestra for three years, beginning her sophomore year. At her last concert, Debby was awarded the Carmean Orchestra Award for her contribution and dedication to the orchestra. Debby also played violin and viola in the Lebanon Valley College String Quartet, an ensemble that plays for weddings and other events in addition to performing at the college. She was also the business manager of that ensemble.
Debby graduated summa cum laude from LVC in May, 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and a concentration in violin performance. In addition to her graduation honors, Debby was elected to Phi Alpha Epsilon, the college’s scholastic honor society. She was chosen for the 2008 Barbara June Kettering Award, given to a music major showing promise and devotion to the field of music, and she also received the Music Teachers National Association Award, given to an outstanding music student who intends to teach professionally in an independent or collegiate music studio after graduation. Debby also earned Departmental Honors for her presentation and performance on the work of composer William Grant Still, "William Grant Still: Beyond the Afro-American Symphony."
In addition to her classical music experience, Debby also loves the theater and has played in pit orchestras for many community theater productions. She also served as co-music director for the show "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown" put on by the possum juniors in Georgetown, DE. Debby has also played in back up orchestras for the Temptations, the Spinners, Anne Murray, and Garry Puckett through her work with the Salisbury Symphony and MusiQuest: Artists and Students in Concert.
Debby began teaching violin lessons through the Community Music Institute at Lebanon Valley College during her freshman year. She expanded her studio in the subsequent years to include viola, cello, and piano students.
Debby currently lives in Steelton, PA and teaches private violin, viola, and piano lessons from her home. Debby also teaches lessons at the Community Music Institute in Annville, PA and at Melody Place Studios in Harrisburg, PA. In her free time, Debby enjoys hiking, camping, going to the beach, and bicycling.
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