Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Schneider.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been singing ever since I can remember. When I started high school, I got heavily involved in musical theatre, and when I turned 18, I moved to New York City to pursue it. Through a lot of reflection during that time, I decided that it wasn’t what I really wanted to do and although I still question that decisions sometimes, I love the path I’m on now.
After that, I pursued my degree in Music and Jewish Studies at Florida Atlantic University where I got my Bachelor’s Degree. During that time I got really involved in leading worship at my church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, and I still sing at their Boca Raton Campus every week. Along with leading worship, I’m also a private voice teacher through my own studio as well as Oceans Edge School of Worship.
I love teaching, and while it’s very rewarding I realized a little over a year ago that what I really wanted to do was sing, I wanted to share what I loved to do most with the world, and I knew I wouldn’t be fully content unless I at least tried. So, around that time I decided to make music!
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. Self-doubt and wondering if I can and should actually do this are daily struggles and wonders that I continually have to push through – and I know there are much bigger hurdles ahead. And although singing is my strength, there are a million little things that I’m learning how to do and be better at as an independent artist.
Things like getting my music on platforms, learning to feel comfortable and confident in having my pictures taken, doing social media and promoting myself well, figuring out how to be recognized and how to get people to listen to my music, seeking opportunity in South Florida where the music scene is fairly new – these are only a few of the challenges I’ve faced so far; and there’s still so much more than I have to push myself to learn and to do, I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Having friends and family support me and push me has been huge. Knowing who my people are, and knowing who I can turn to for help and encouragement has definitely been one of the key factors in propelling me forward.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m an independent artist. You can find my songs under pretty much any platform that you use to listen to music under my artist name, Deborah Joy. So far, I’ve released two singles and plan to release a third very soon. The three singles are all cover songs that have been completely reproduced by my producer, Dan Diaz, who lives in Nashville.
My hopes for these songs is for people to simply hear them, and hear my voice. I’d love to eventually release my own original music and have other singing opportunities. One of my dreams apart from releasing my own original music is to be the voice of a character in an animated musical movie.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love about South Florida most is that it’s home for me. I’m originally from New York, but I’ve grown up in Boca Raton most of my life.
Most of my family is here, and my best friends are here. You also can’t really beat the warmth and the beauty. I also love that all the way from Miami to West Palm, there are pockets of each area constantly evolving and growing, there are more and more places to eat and drink, hang out, listen to live music, get coffee, etc.
What I like least about our city is that it’s not necessarily the best place to be for the career path that I have chosen to pursue. Most artists live in Nashville, LA or New York where there is more opportunity in this industry. It’s definitely difficult to pursue opportunity down here, as the music scene exists, but is still growing and small in comparison to the cities I mentioned.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@debjoymusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahjoymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborahjoymusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/deborahjoymusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1aIPXLNdjKkL7JYw6xcNSY?si=-vszMDJzSYyWNgruB3vwIA
Image Credit:
Claudia Isacc Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
