Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié, Founder & Musical Director
Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié enjoys the adventure and global embrace of a career dedicated to music. She thrives on the creative discovery that flows from collaborative musical opportunities, whether working with combinations of choirs or with other composers, dancers, visual artists and cultural groups. Originally from Perth in Western Australia, Debra’s career has taken her from Hungary and through western Europe to north America, where she obtained a Master of Music Education degree and a Doctorate of Music degree in Choral Conducting at Indiana University.
In Indianapolis, Debra directed the Indiana University Children’s and Youth Choir, was assistant director to maestro Paul Hillier with the Pro Arte Singers, and for two years directed the International Vocal Ensemble at Indiana University. She conducted the Northwest Girlchoir in Seattle, a 400-voice organisation of young women who performed frequently with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Now based in Brisbane, Debra maintains an active career in choral conducting, music education and working as a clinician and scholar.
Invitations to present at conferences throughout Australia and internationally have included the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association in New York and the New Zealand Choral Federation’s Conducting Summer School. She was also guest conductor at Aged Care Consultants Education and Training, The Big Sing, and made repeated appearances at the Australian National Choral Association’s Choralfest.
In Brisbane, Debra has conducted the Queensland Young Conservatorium Chamber Choir, founded Vox Pacifica Chamber Choir and most recently the vocal ensemble Vintage Voices, a choir for elders to engage with the community through singing.
In 2009 she founded Fusion, a semi-professional adult a cappella ensemble. Since then, the choir has established itself as a prominent choral group in the music landscape of Australia, offering its audiences nationwide, listening experiences that reach deep into their souls, provoking interesting dialogue, and offering a treat of musical delights. Under Debra's direction, Fusion was one of 24 choirs which performed at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Seoul, Korea in 2014. They have also performed at several Australian National Choral Association's (ANCA) National conferences and sung under the direction of visiting international conductors.
Debra has lectured at the Queensland Conservatorium, The University of Queensland and Australian Catholic University. She served as reviewer to the International Federation of Choral Music’s International Choral Bulletin, is a past National president of the Australian National Choral Association, and remains in demand as an adjudicator, clinician and conductor for festivals and eisteddfods throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
In Indianapolis, Debra directed the Indiana University Children’s and Youth Choir, was assistant director to maestro Paul Hillier with the Pro Arte Singers, and for two years directed the International Vocal Ensemble at Indiana University. She conducted the Northwest Girlchoir in Seattle, a 400-voice organisation of young women who performed frequently with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Now based in Brisbane, Debra maintains an active career in choral conducting, music education and working as a clinician and scholar.
Invitations to present at conferences throughout Australia and internationally have included the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association in New York and the New Zealand Choral Federation’s Conducting Summer School. She was also guest conductor at Aged Care Consultants Education and Training, The Big Sing, and made repeated appearances at the Australian National Choral Association’s Choralfest.
In Brisbane, Debra has conducted the Queensland Young Conservatorium Chamber Choir, founded Vox Pacifica Chamber Choir and most recently the vocal ensemble Vintage Voices, a choir for elders to engage with the community through singing.
In 2009 she founded Fusion, a semi-professional adult a cappella ensemble. Since then, the choir has established itself as a prominent choral group in the music landscape of Australia, offering its audiences nationwide, listening experiences that reach deep into their souls, provoking interesting dialogue, and offering a treat of musical delights. Under Debra's direction, Fusion was one of 24 choirs which performed at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Seoul, Korea in 2014. They have also performed at several Australian National Choral Association's (ANCA) National conferences and sung under the direction of visiting international conductors.
Debra has lectured at the Queensland Conservatorium, The University of Queensland and Australian Catholic University. She served as reviewer to the International Federation of Choral Music’s International Choral Bulletin, is a past National president of the Australian National Choral Association, and remains in demand as an adjudicator, clinician and conductor for festivals and eisteddfods throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
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