Starting as a Voice Major in Performance in Music at Florida State University, Debbie was classically trained and heading towards a path into opera. However, she was also singing in a band, starring in musical theatre and plays, and was the solo jazz singer for FSU’s Jazz Band. She went on to NYC to pursue her love of musical theatre in the Broadway world, while she continued to enjoy a wide range of music, performing with groups in folk, country, bluegrass, gospel, pop, blues, jazz, classics, and rock. In addition, her passion for creating a role and building a character in plays drove her to commit herself to the study of acting, earning her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts in Acting and Directing (MFA).

As an actor/singer one of Debbie’s most cherished opportunities came early in her career, starring Off-Broadway as Luisa in the hit musical, THE FANTASTICKS, which at one time was the longest running musical in the world. In fact, her mom and dad had seen it in NYC when it opened and then came back 20 years later to see Debbie in the same play at the same theatre. Other favorite roles include Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC for The Knoxville Opera Company, as well as Sara Jane Moore in Sondheim’s ASSASSINS and CANNIBALS, a Holocaust play, both for California Repertory Company.

In addition to her work in the theatre and on various stages, Debbie has enjoyed an active on- camera presence spanning over 30 years in TV and Film. She has appeared in approximately 300 commercials, including playing Leonardo DiCaprio’s mom in a Kraft Cheese spot, over 10 years of starring roles in soap operas, and 25 or so Guest Star and Co-Star roles in TV episodics, as well as a couple of TV pilots and a few films. Her Voiceover work includes singing and acting in TV and Radio commercials and animation, as well as audiobooks.