A native of Southwestern PA, Debra attended Clarion University of PA, Penn State University and Bowling Green State University. She has been teaching at IUSB since 1989, both in classroom courses and studio horn lessons. In addition, she is an adjunct faculty member at University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College and Andrews University.
Along with her teaching activities, Debra performs with the Southwest Michigan Symphony, the Elkhart County Symphony, the Elkhart Municipal Band and the St. Joseph (MI) Municipal Band. She has done numerous solo performances and chamber music, including the Prairie Street Brass Quintet, the Chamber Brass Quartet, and the Southwest Winds Wind Quintet.