Pianist, Deborah Fortier has been performing and teaching in the Northeast for 50 years. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Villa Schifanoia Graduate School in Florence, Italy, (M.Mus.), her teachers include Zelma Bodzin, Maria Clodes, Edwin Hymovitz, and Orazio Frugoni among others. She has a private piano studio and teaches piano at Saint David’s School in New York City.
Deborah Fortier composed several sets of piano pieces for her students. Reviewer, Win Pusey of the Ellsworth American (Ellsworth, Maine) wrote: “vibrant pianist performed two of her own compositions…were well constructed, imaginative and challenging enough for anyone to play, but it is refreshing to hear such good stuff aimed at children.” Pianist- lecturer and performer David Dubal wrote about Ms. Fortier’s Dream Waltz: “…it certainly is a dream.”
The world premiere of Dream Waltz for String Orchestra took place in Millbrook, NY, Francis Fortier conducting, and in 2019 it was performed in New York City by the North/South Consonance Orchestra. Pianist Christopher Johnson premiered Split Rock Falls and Dream Waltz for the Bar Harbor Music Festival’s 54th Season. This summer will see an arrangement by Mr. Johnson of Split Rock Falls Unleashed for Piano Trio performed at the Bar Harbor Music Festival, once with flute and once with violin.
In addition to her career as a teacher, Deborah Fortier is Administrator of the Bar Harbor Music Festival, founded by her husband, violinist Francis Fortier. Celebrating its 57th Season this summer, the Festival is dedicated to giving outstanding performers and composers a showcase in which to perform in Bar Harbor, Maine. For 7 years she accompanied her husband on the Festival’s National Touring Program throughout the State of Pennsylvania, giving concerts at schools and community arts organizations. In 2014 she initiated a Young Audience Concert Series at the Festival, with many of these events taking place here at Jesup Library. Ms. Fortier is a member of the Leschetizky Association where she served on the board, performs regularly, and initiated the Piano Teachers Forum. Ms. Fortier gives solo recitals at The Barn in Surry, Maine, and at Jesup Library, as well as performances at Klavierhaus and the Tenri Institute in New York City.