Deborah L. Brown, Choir Director at First Congregational Church of Bellingham, United Church of Christ, is an accomplished conductor, teacher, and soloist. Deborah received her degree in voice and a teaching credential in music from the University of California at Irvine. She has worked with numerous conductors, including Howard Swan, Maurice Allard, Martial Singher, Henrietta Pelta, Natalie Limonick, Michael Palmer, and Linda Frost. After attending the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, on full scholarship, Deborah toured and performed in opera and concert in Europe and the United States. Deborah recently completed an intensive vocal pedagogy course and studies voice with Charles Peterson.
As the director of award-winning choirs in schools in California, on Waldron and Shaw Islands in Washington, and at Squalicum High School in Bellingham, Deborah instilled a love of choral music and vocal excellence in her students. While at Shaw Island, she co-directed the Shaw Island Touring Opera Company, developing original operas each year. She was the director of the combined choirs for the Whatcom County Interfaith Choral Festival on February 28 2009.