Debra Nagy

Adjunct Instructor

Praised for her “dazzling technique and soulful expressiveness,” (Rocky Mountain News), and a musical approach that’s “distinctly sensual…pliant, warm, and sweet,” (New York Times), Debra Nagy is one of North America’s leading performers on the baroque oboe. Debra plays principal oboe with the Boston’s Handel & Haydn Society, Apollo’s Fire in Cleveland, and San Francisco’s American Bach Soloists, and has been called a “musical polymath” (San Francisco Classical Voice) for her accomplished performances as a singer and historical wind player. She is the founder of acclaimed chamber ensemble Les Délices and indulges her love of late-medieval music as a regular guest with Boston’s Blue Heron and Chicago’s Newberry Consort. Inspired by a creative process that brings together research, composition in historical styles, improvisation, and artistic collaboration, highlights of Debra’s recent projects have included a critically-acclaimed multimedia production of Machaut’s medieval masterpiece Remede de Fortune and a Baroque-Jazz crossover program called Songs without Words. .” She has received many awards for her creative and scholarly pursuits and her discography includes over 30 CDs with repertoire ranging from 1300-1800. 

Debra previously directed the Collegium Musicum and taught Medieval and Renaissance Notation. In her current role at CWRU, Debra provides additional coachings and mentorship for individuals and ensembles across a variety of repertoires and occasionally leads special performance projects.