Debbie has been involved with Music West since her early teens when she started out playing brass in the old Town Hall in Castlebar, first with the training band, then the Castlebar Concert Band under the direction of Tom Bourke. She is once again Musical Director of the Concert Band, appointed in September 2022, having also been Director for a number of years in the early 2000s. In April Debbie led the band to success by winning five awards at the IABCB 2023 National Band Championships.

 

Debbie is brass tutor for students young and old, many of whom sit the RIAM Grade Exams and achieve high marks and high standards of musicianship. Her students often return to participate in the Mayo Concert Orchestra, Castlebar Concert Band and Mayo Youth Orchestra.

 

Debbie played a key role in setting up the Mayo Youth Orchestra in 1997 and was Musical Director for many years. This orchestra was formed from a training band Debbie had established from her brass classes. In 2004 she took part in a Conductors Master Class with Professor Atso Almila from the Sibelius Academy, which culminated in her conducting the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. 

 

Debbie has been a member of the Mayo Concert Orchestra since its establishment in 1995 and has held the role of lead trumpeter in both the orchestra and the Castlebar Concert Band. These groups have brought Debbie to many places such as, France, Holland, Germany and New York (Broadway) to mention a few, as well as more recently, touring with Sean Kean and Fáinne Oir.