Debra won her first dance contest dancing “street style wing” in 1968 and hasn’t stopped since.  This year she celebrates 32 years as an instructor (1974-2006). 

She gives credit to her Father as he was voted “ best dancer” of  his graduating class, while her Mom was “ best looking”.  Debra just laughs when ask which one she took after. 

Debra told me that when she was a child her family had a dance party in the basement almost every week-end. After being put to bed, she would get up out of bed out and sneak to the stairs to watch everyone dance. The tunes of Chuck Barry, Lil’ Richard , Elvis and many other groups who were chancing the sounds to a “down in the ground, sound” stirred her. Her parents finally gave in and let her stay up for the dance parties.  Debra said " this is  how I learned to let the music inside move me instead of me moving to it.”

Growing up in a small town, turned out to be the very place that shaped her career today and makes her a terrific instructor as well.  “As small child, I remember dancing was everywhere.  In Jr. High, the gym was open during lunch break if you wished to dance, until the next class began.  After every football game, win, or draw, we had a dance.” 

Debra told me that her fondest memories growing up were the street dances, and block parties.  It was a family event, everyone danced.  If the band were booked out of town, the local jukebox company would put a jukebox in the back of a pick-up truck and click off  hundreds of free plays. 

  “ Real Men ” had to be able to dance. 

  "Can't dance ?  No second glance."  

 Debra began teaching in Va. Beach, and won dance contests up and down the coastline.  These include the legendary Peppermint Lounge and Rouges Gallery, which Bill Deal and the Roundels owned.  It was dancing in the clubs on the beach that she learned about this “slotted swing” from the 1930's.  West coast swing was what it was named as we dance east to west in a slot.   

In the mid 70’s, the music changed………and   “Do the hustle” became the rage.  Dancing hustle shows brought her to Ft. Lauderdale where she helped Jim Forrest write the National Step List of hustle used by teachers today.  In 1976 her titles include First place at the South Eastern Dance Championship in the Theater Arts division.  She took the Top Teacher award as well.  

Debra also placed first in the American Latin division and her dance troop took first place in the Rhythm Showcase at the M.U.S.T.  She soon became a sought after coach and has been inducted to the " Disco Hall of Fame" located in the U.S. Library of Congress. 

During the 80’s when Debra began to work for Dance Olympics as everything from judge to clean up person.   During the 80’s, she had a few small parts in the several shows.  The first was the Danny Thomas telethon.  Next came the music video “Dance Hall Days” by “Wang Chung”, “Smooth” by Michael Jackson as well as his 3D movie “Capt. E.O”.  This played at E.P.C.O.T’s Journey into Imagine for several years. She also danced and judged for Dance Fever when  they were at Pete and Lenny’s in Ft. Lauderdale. 

This set her apart as a dancer who is "a step above the rest."  

The Latin sounds of Fl brought it beat to the disco floor at the same time as hustle.  This mix is of music still stirs the soul with the heat and passion within.  Cha-cha and mambo being danced to Salsa music is still Debra’s delight on the dance floor. 

If you have not taken a class from her in the Latin dances, you are cheating your soul.  

Taking a group class or private lesson with The Dance Designer is a gift you must give to yourself. 

You will never feel the music the same way again. 

Her goal when teaching any class is to help you dance TO the music instead of AT the music, while teaching  fun new patterns.  

Debra is now an independent instructor under the name The Dance Designer and trains the front department of studios, teaches private lessons, and choreographs Wedding Dances and judges for many Ballroom Dance Sport,  Latin, Hustle and Swing Dance Competitions.   

  She is currently introducing a dance club called “Dance Esteem” into middle school. 

Dancing is a social skill, a life skill, a family sport.   Debra's belief is that one of the many benefits of knowing how to dance, is that a person's soul will get higher on the music and movement than any drink or drug.  This is why she works so hard to carry this message and to be an example and is working towards a mentoring program based on dancing. 

She has been added to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a partner in a campaign for healthier aging, called " DANCE FOR YOUR LIFE".  This program is geared for those who live with chronic pain.