Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié, Founder & Musical Director
Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator, clinician and scholar. She holds a Master of Music Education degree and Doctor of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University in the United States. During her time at Indiana University she was director of the Indiana University Children’s and Youth Choir, assistant director to maestro Paul Hillier with the Pro Arte Singers, and Director of the International Vocal Ensemble at Indiana University for two consecutive years.
Upon arriving in Brisbane mid-2003, Debra conducted the Queensland Young Conservatorium Chamber Choir through diverse repertoire which lead them to an invitation to perform at the ANCA conference in 2004. In 2005, she was appointed Musical Director of the Brisbane Concert Choir, a 60 voice adult auditioned choir, and in 2006 she founded the Vox Pacifica Chamber Choir which toured Tasmania in 2006 with several well-received performances, including appearances at the ANCA National Conference. In 2009, Debra founded Fusion, which has become known for its performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. In 2010, Debra was contacted by Centacare to work with a group of older people who live in Brisbane’s Sunnybank area. This group of people have become known as the Vintage Voices and perform regularly in the Brisbane region. The youngest singers in this group are 60, while the oldest is 96.
In her work as Musical Director of these ensembles, she continually searches for opportunities to collaborate with other musical groups, composers, dancers, visual artists, multi-media experts, and cultural groups to challenge both herself as a musician and educator, and those who work with her.
Debra has recently been elected to serve on the Editorial Board for the International Choral Magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music. She serves on the Queensland Chapter committee for ANCA and is in demand as an adjudicator for choral festivals and eisteddfods within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a clinician and conductor for choral festivals across the nation.
Upon arriving in Brisbane mid-2003, Debra conducted the Queensland Young Conservatorium Chamber Choir through diverse repertoire which lead them to an invitation to perform at the ANCA conference in 2004. In 2005, she was appointed Musical Director of the Brisbane Concert Choir, a 60 voice adult auditioned choir, and in 2006 she founded the Vox Pacifica Chamber Choir which toured Tasmania in 2006 with several well-received performances, including appearances at the ANCA National Conference. In 2009, Debra founded Fusion, which has become known for its performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. In 2010, Debra was contacted by Centacare to work with a group of older people who live in Brisbane’s Sunnybank area. This group of people have become known as the Vintage Voices and perform regularly in the Brisbane region. The youngest singers in this group are 60, while the oldest is 96.
In her work as Musical Director of these ensembles, she continually searches for opportunities to collaborate with other musical groups, composers, dancers, visual artists, multi-media experts, and cultural groups to challenge both herself as a musician and educator, and those who work with her.
Debra has recently been elected to serve on the Editorial Board for the International Choral Magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music. She serves on the Queensland Chapter committee for ANCA and is in demand as an adjudicator for choral festivals and eisteddfods within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a clinician and conductor for choral festivals across the nation.
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