MOMDebbie

Debbie was born in Rivers and started playing violin at age 6. Her mother was her first teacher, as she had the good fortune to be born into a musical family. Each family member played at least two instruments. She recalls her first formal lessons were from Alex White. Later, she enrolled in a classical music program at Brandon University and studied under Boyd McKenzie. She attained Grade 8 music in the Royal Conservatory program. Debbie played in the Rivers Orchestra and was the Concert Mistress for many years. She then joined the Brandon Orchestra and played for approximately a year. She also put together a quartet and performed at various functions and festivals. They entered many local contests and attained a skill level good enough to win the silver medal and a trip to the Peace Gardens for having the highest mark in the festival. This earned them a spot in the Provincial Competition. Debbie also taught the Suzuki method of violin in Brandon for a while. At age 8 she became a highland dancer which eventually led to her interest in the bagpipes at age 10 and actually joined a group of fellow pipers and travelled with them extensively to various world events in Scotland, USA, etc etc etc… Her favourite excuse these days for not playing the bagpipes anymore, is that her bags for her pipes are dried out. *wink* Maybe someday we will be treated to hearing her play. Debbie left music for many years while she raised her daughter and attended university to obtain her Bachelors Degree. She enjoys knitting, baking, crocheting, reading and recently performing her public relations and advertising expertise for Westman Jams. We feel very fortunate to reap the rewards of her talents. She is also the events co-ordinator for Grand Valley Provincial Park. About 4 years ago she changed her music direction and became interested in Old Tyme and country music and since that time has performed with Kawliga and Guns on Fire. You can see and hear Debbie at Westman Jams every month and in case you are among the few people who have never met Debbie, you can recognize her by looking for the fiddler who has the largest travelling coffee mug. So drop by the last Sunday of each month and enjoy her fiddling talents and see many other local musicians