Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator, clinician and scholar. She holds a Master of Music Education degree and Doctor of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University in the United States. During her time at Indiana University she was director of the Indiana University Children’s and Youth Choir; assistant director to maestro Paul Hillier with the Pro Arte Singers; and Director of the International Vocal Ensemble at Indiana University for two consecutive years.
Upon arriving in Brisbane mid-2003, Dr. Shearer-Dirié conducted the Queensland Young Conservatorium Chamber Choir through diverse repertoire which lead them to an invitation to perform at the ANCA conference in 2004. In 2005, she was appointed Musical Director of the Brisbane Concert Choir, a 60 voice adult auditioned choir, and in 2006 she founded the Vox Pacifica Chamber Choir which toured Tasmania in 2006 with several well-received performance, including appearances at the National ANCA conference. In 2009, Dr. Shearer-Dirié founded fusion, which has become known for its performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. Fusion is one of twenty-five choirs who have been selected to perform at the World Symposium on Choral Music which is to be held in Korea in August of this year. In 2010, Dr. Shearer-Dirié was contacted by Centacare to work with a group of older people who live in Brisbane’s Sunnybank area. This group of people have become known as the Vintage Voices and perform regularly in the Brisbane region. The youngest singers in this group is 60, whilst the oldest is 96.
In her work as Musical Director of these ensembles, she continually searches for opportunities to collaborate with other musical groups, composers, dancers, visual artists, multi-media experts, and cultural groups to challenge both herself as a musician and educator and those that work with her.
Dr. Shearer-Dirié is currently serving as editor of the Australian National Choral Association’s Publication and serves on the National Council for this organization. She is in demand as an Adjudicator for Choral Festivals and Eisteddfods within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a clinician and conductor for Choral Festivals across the nation.
Formed by Debra Shearer-Dirié in 2009, Fusion has become known for it performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. The group was formed with some of Brisbane’s best and most experienced ensemble singers, most of whom sing regularly with o... more
Formed by Debra Shearer-Dirié in 2009, Fusion has become known for it performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. The group was formed with some of Brisbane’s best and most experienced ensemble singers, most of whom sing regularly with other choirs in and around the city and have extensive performing and touring experience both around Australia and internationally. The singers range across an assortment of careers, from educators to environmental engineers, and from students to musicians. They are drawn together because of their passion for singing and produce an energy in performance that immediately connects with their audience.
In programming, Fusion specialises in early and new music – from Jean Mouton and Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla to Cyrillus Kreek, Arvo Pärt, and Henryk Mikolaj Górecki. The ensemble prides itself on delivering an artistic product that combines choral maturity with youthful vibrancy to bring a fresh sound to music that is not often performed in the region. less
Formed by Debra Shearer-Dirié in 2009, Fusion has become known for it performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. The group was formed with some of Brisbane’s best and most experienced ensemble singers, most of whom sing regularly with o... more
Formed by Debra Shearer-Dirié in 2009, Fusion has become known for it performances of diverse repertoire with exceptional beauty. The group was formed with some of Brisbane’s best and most experienced ensemble singers, most of whom sing regularly with other choirs in and around the city and have extensive performing and touring experience both around Australia and internationally. The singers range across an assortment of careers, from educators to environmental engineers, and from students to musicians. They are drawn together because of their passion for singing and produce an energy in performance that immediately connects with their audience.
In programming, Fusion specialises in early and new music – from Jean Mouton and Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla to Cyrillus Kreek, Arvo Pärt, and Henryk Mikolaj Górecki. The ensemble prides itself on delivering an artistic product that combines choral maturity with youthful vibrancy to bring a fresh sound to music that is not often performed in the region. less
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