MORGAN, DEBRA (b. 1953)

Debra Morgan (b. June 8, 1953) was raised and went to school in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. The eldest of five children, she was also the only girl in a family where all the children took piano lessons.

 

One of her brothers has had an influence on her musical life—Kent Fenske, known for his vocal and piano expertise in the Twin Cities who also has had some choral works published. The youngest brother, Kurt also had remarkable piano skills and has made CDs for his family. Christmas time finds them all around the piano singing and fighting for the piano bench!

 

Debra started playing organ in 6th grade when their music teacher left and needed to be replaced. She had been her best student and trained to take over. Debra received her BA degree in Preschool/Kindergarten Education from the University of Wisconsin/Madison. she discovered that she enjoyed the “one-on-one” with piano students over a full classroom. She has been teaching piano students for over 36 years.

 

Following her marriage, Debra became the main organist for here church. Upon moving to Faribault, Minnesota she immediately became involved in the Catholic Church music ministry from being pianist, organist, handbell director, to funeral choir director.

 

She served Immaculate Conception Church and then the Church of Divine Mercy in Faribault and her philosophy in piano teaching or in choir is to make it “fun.”