Deborah Fristad is recently retired from Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, MI, where she had been teaching since 1997. She conducted three choirs, five select ensembles, two show choirs, and co-directed the spring musical. She also served as department chair for the Visual and Performing Arts Department. In May, 2013 her Women’s Ensemble was selected to perform in the 2013 Michigan Youth Arts Festival where she was honored by the MSVMA Executive Director for her years of service to MSVMA.
Her teaching career includes vocal, instrumental, and classroom experience at the elementary and secondary levels in Minnesota, Ohio, California, and Michigan. She also has international teaching experience at The Islington Green School in London, England and International School Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Lake Orion Choirs and Ensembles consistently score high marks at festivals. In May of 2007 her students sang at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Sandra Snow. Each year several of her students have been accepted into the MSVMA Honor Choir program and the ACDA Honor Choirs. She is an excellent accompanist and has performed at the MSVMA Summer Workshop, for two MSVMA State Honor Choirs and an ACDA Honors Choir.
She conducts the youth choir at her church and assists with the adult choir.
Her Board of Director affiliations have included the Michigan School Vocal Music Association, American Choral Directors Association-Michigan, where she is President Elect, and the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble.
Deborah was named Outstanding Educator at Ursuline High School, Santa Rosa, CA in 1996 and Teacher of the Year at Lake Orion High School, Lake Orion, MI in 2005.
She and her husband, Bill, have two adult children, Kirsten and Carl.
