About Debra

Transform The World

Through Gospel Music

"I live my dream by helping individuals find their true & authentic voice so that they may have joy."

What makes me most excited and really keeps me going is having the ability to literally transform lives for the better. I especially love teaching mothers who sacrifice everything for their families and, in the process, have lost themselves. I have seen women who were so depressed they couldn’t get out of bed. After training and finding their voice, they become more joyful, happier mothers and wives, and often are even ready to start their own businesses.

I also love to see the positive transformation in youth who are at a pivotal point in their lives where things could go either way. Through this program, they are able to find their True Voice, which brings them joy and confidence, and helps them discover their purpose in life. This may not involve becoming a professional singer, but it will involve figuring out who they are and aligning them with their life’s purpose.

Gospel music literally saved my life. If it were not for the gospel choirs that I participated in as a child, I would either be in prison or dead today. Because of gospel music, I was given hope and a sense of self worth and purpose. I was a special ed child who learned how to read by singing hymns at the age of 14. I was the first in my family to ever attend college, went on to achieve a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance, and studied under two of the top vocal pedagogues in the world, Seth Riggs and Richard Miller.

My life’s mission is to bring hope, healing, love, and joy to the world through Unity Gospel Choir International (UGCI) programs. I am grateful that the transformative work I am able to do through my Your True Voice business can also contribute to the powerful mission of UGCI.

Qualifications

Why Choose Debra?

Holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from University of Michigan
Taught/mentored by the two top vocal pedagogues of the 20th and 21st centuries
Brings over 50 years of professional voice-teaching experience
Has trained contestants on American Idol and The Voice as well as Tony and Grammy award winners



I have found that this ‘Vocal Training’ technique has been effective in improving literally any voice, solving many difficult vocal problems and simplifying both the teaching and study of voice. It is the closest thing I have found to a ‘push-button’ vocal technique, and I would not only continue to use it in my teaching , but have and will continue to strive to put it into the hands of other voice teachers. I have not only the success of my students to support this, but also the vast improvement in my voice. For this, I will always be grateful to Debra Bonner.

Dr. Raymond Zentz

Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts

As a high school choral teacher, I developed habits and methods that were causing my voice to tire unnecessarily, but I didn’t know how to change. Debra’s coaching, insight, and technique enabled me to strengthen my own vocal mechanism, and gain more control, clarity, and stamina throughout my entire range. Likewise, Debra’s sequential and methodological approach has given me the ability to share this knowledge with my choral students, giving them a unique sense of knowledge regarding their natural vocal abilities, along with the ability to monitor, regulate, and restrict tension as they enjoy making music one with another.

Cory Mendenhall

Millennial Choir Director

Working through the Your True Voice program not only helped my physical voice but also my inner voice and the way I was able to communicate with others. My confidence just really skyrocketed.

Allison Olsen

Debra Bonner is a superb teacher! In my years of academia, including teaching in Secondary Public and Private Schools, and serving as Professor, Dean, Provost and President at the Higher Education level, I have never seen a better teacher. …Debra is an outstanding teacher—her students come alive under her mentorship, and individually and collectively they go well beyond minimum requirements and achieve excellence. In her field of Vocal Performance, she also qualifies as a true expert. She demands only the highest quality work in her students, and she inspires them so that they deliver—consistently

Oliver DeMille

President, George Wythe College

I believe that the Lord sent [Debra] to me to teach this method.

Seth Riggs

Vocal Coach to Michael Jackson

Debra has excellent academic skills that enable her to teach the classically trained singer… and is well qualified as a teacher who successfully deals with popular vocal idioms. I am happy to recommend her as a person of strong pedagogic conviction and of much personal substance.

Richard Miller

Author and Wheeler Professor of Performance Dir. of The Otto B. Schoepfle Arts Center , Oberlin College Conservatory of Music

Debra’s technique has really helped me to discover my voice. I actually enjoy singing now.

Rashida Jordan

Lead Backup singer for Grammy award winning artist Gladys Knight

Working with Debra has been amazing. She is helping me find my true voice and develop my muscles so that I can sing with a lot more control and ease. She not only helps me with my voice, but also inspires me to be a better person. Debra is a great person and it has been a pleasure working with her.

Nik Day

EFY Award Winning Composer

Debra’s technique has taken my voice to a whole new level. A level I didn’t know I could ever reach. Thank you, Debra!

Kevin Yungman

Broadway Lead Singer and Award Winning Recording Artist

I have never experienced the growth that I see take place as I undergo Debra’s training.

Madilyn Paige

Youtube Star, Finalist on The Voice season 6

Check Out Our Vocal Education Programs!

Our Programs