Deborah Murao

Professional Experience

Musical Theater

Deborah appeared in leading roles Off-Broadway in New York City as well as in regional, repertory and stock theaters including The Whole Theater (Olympia Dukakis, Artistic Director). Musical theater roles include Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella, Fiona in Brigadoon, Sandy in Grease and Luisa in The Fantasticks.

Classical Music

Deborah performed the title role in Princess Maleen (produced by Texaco Corporation in New York, written by internationally known composer Ruth Schonthal). This work was also presented live on WQXR, New York’s leading classical radio station. Deborah also sang a lead role in a recital presented at Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, appeared with the Little Orchestra Society at Lincoln Center, and was Soprano soloist for the Bronx Arts Ensemble concert of Mozart’s Requiem. Other operatic roles include Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Polly Peachum in The Three Penny Opera conducted by Robert Spano, (recently named Conductor of the Year by Musical America) and directed by Roy Lazarus (international opera director). Deborah has sung with renowned singers such as Claudia Catania (Metropolitan Opera, Mezzo) and Elizabeth Schauler (New York City Opera, Soprano). Since coming to Japan, Deborah sang two CDs of Japanese children’s songs in English and has sung various recitals around the Tokyo area.

Television and Film

Deborah starred in many national television and radio commercials and was a favorite McDonald’s girl for several years. In industrial films, she was a spokesperson for many internationally known companies such as IBM and Ricoh.

Theater

Deborah’s leading roles include Alma in Summer and Smoke, Madge in Picnic and Abigail in The Crucible.

Teaching Experience

Deborah taught music and creative dramatics to pre-school children in New York City and later at her own music and English school in Yokohama, Japan. She was a kindergarten homeroom teacher for three years in a Japanese kindergarten and currently owns The English Garden (a new music and English school for both children and adults) in Tsukuba City, Japan. For several years, Deborah has been developing her own creative material for her classes and has a passion for coming up with new and exciting ways to make both teaching and learning creative, effective and enjoyable.

Principle Teachers

Opera/Singing

• Roy Lazarus: Founder Oberlin Music Theater, director/teacher Juilliard, Indiana University, Bowling Green State University
• Robert Spano: Musical Director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Formerly Music Director, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Assistant Conductor, Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa
• Joyce Hall: Graduate Juilliard and Eastman, teacher of many Broadway stars including Julie Andrews
• Eileen Deneen: American Conservatory of Music
• Margaret Hoswell: Manhattan School of Music

Acting

• Phil Gushee: Protégé of Sanford Meisner, taught together with Mr. Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, students include Tom Cruise
• Stella Adler: Stella Adler Studios
• Bruce Katzman: Graduate Yale School of Drama, Scene Study

Dance

• Gus Giordano Studios

Education

• Master of Music, Vocal Performance, Bowling Green State University
• Bachelor of Arts, Music Performance/ Theater, Lynchburg College (Magna Cum Laude)