Name: Debra Niles
Voice type: Soprano 1
SFS Chorus member since: 1995
Hometown: Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Music school(s) you attended: Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey
Began singing: At 10 years old.
Musical inspirations: Julie Andrews
If I were not a professional singer, I might be: A Geologist
Favorite composers: Mozart , Strauss, Rachel Portman
Favorite vocal works: Verdi Requiem, Mozart Requiem
This season, I am really looking forward to: Celebrating with great music and singing. It is an honor to be surrounded by such incredible directors and musicians!! The Symphony is my family away from home. My husband and I raised our son through 16 seasons of music.
When I’m not working, what I enjoy doing most is: Watching movies and spending time with my family and my chubby black dachshund, Spike.
Recent reading: Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress, and I loved reading the Harry Potter series.
On my CD Player/iPod: Lady Gaga (no joke!), Celtic music, and Enya—I love her voice.
Favorite things to do in the Bay Area: Hiking and going to Bed and Breakfasts. I love the woods and forests.
Plus: I love doing operas on small Bay Area stages, and I love comedy.