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The American soprano, Deborah Stephens, Stephens earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance Magna Cum Laude from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at University of Georgia (UGA) (August 2015-December 2019) . She is currently studies for her Master of Music degree in Early Music, Oratorio, and Chamber Ensemble at Yale Institute of Sacred Music (since September 2020; expected graduation: 2023). Her Awards/Honors include: E. Pierce Arant Choral Leadership Scholarship (2019), Outstanding Student Ambassador Award (2018), HHSOM Most Outstanding Sophomore (2017), HHSOM Director’s Excellence Award (2017), E. Pierce Arant Choral Ensemble Award (2017).
Deborah Stephens has been a featured soloist in UGA productions of Haydn’s Creation and Antonio Vivaldi’s Magnificat while also enjoying solo and choral engagements with churches across Georgia. While working at Athens First United Methodist Church (August 2016-May 2017), she performed solos in Finzi’s In Terra Pax and J.S. Bach’s Magnificat (BWV 243). She has sung in various UGA choirs including Hodgson Singers, the Choral Project, and the opera choruses in W.A. Mozart's Cosi fan tutte and Don Giovanni.
In September 2017, Deborah Stephens founded and began to direct VERITAS Vocal Ensemble, a small group of 10 UGA students passionate about choral singing. VERITAS has performed on the UGA Student Spotlight Concert, many faculty and student recitals, and hosted a joint-ensemble benefit concert to support music education. She performs with professional choral ensembles such as Kinnara (since September 2019), Coro Vocati (since September 2019), and the Lake Junaluska Singers (June-August 2020), and is a sought-after freelance soloist.
Deborah Stephens's goals are to continue to sing in professional choirs, travel and sing all over the world, as well as possibly going back to school for a DMA and teaching at the collegiate level. |
