Debbi Gibson began her involvement with the NHIMA in 2016 when she became the conductor of the New Hampshire New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region. She was a former music educator of public school and collegiate levels for over 40 years. New Horizons was a perfect fit!! Debbi was still able to teach and make music!!! The “age” of the student was just a little different. Debbi earned her Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, with a Certificate in Performance and her Masters of Music Education (MME) from James Madison University. Currently Debbi conducts several groups alongside of the New Horizons Band; the Carter Mountain Brass Band of New Hampshire and the Taylor Community Chorus of the Retirement Community in Laconia, NH. An avid free lance musician, she continues clarinet and other woodwind instruments in ensembles in New Hampshire, such as the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, the Newmount Military Band, the Center Harbor Town Band and the Gilford Community Band as well as playing in several pit orchestras. Throughout Debbi’s musical career, she has received many accolades. Those include; 2002 National “50 Directors Who Made a Difference”, 2005 New Hampshire Music Education Association (NHMEA) Distinguished Music Educator of the Year, 2011 New Hampshire Band Director Association (NHBDA) Outstanding Band Director Award. She has been a guest conductor at several middle and high school festivals as well as the guest conductor at the Adult New England Music Camp at Snow Pond. Debbi believes that “Music is Medicine”, and enjoys helping people share in the joyful and healing experience that music can provide both through conducting and performing on her clarinet. She lives in Sanbornton, New Hampshire with her Great Dane, Ziva and is surrounded by her children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. This interview was done in May 2025 via Zoom. If you would like to find out more about Debbi’s New Horizons Band please, go to https://newhorizons-lakesregion.org