We were lucky to catch up with Debra L. Perry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Debra L. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My number one desire is to do work that will have a positive influence on those I come in contact with. I am an educator for 28 years. I am the music teacher at Coit Creative Arts Academy, a k-5 creative arts school with Grand Rapids Public. As students leave their elementary years and go on to secondary education, many students talk of meaningful productions such as our Black History presentations, or school musicals, and some aspire to continue on in the arts.

I have a passion to not just teach music but get them to understand the “why” of how music impacts our lives. This is the driving force behind the enthusiasm to learn.

Other meaningful projects that come to mind is community work through my studio Joint Heir Music Studios in which I am the CEO, producer, engineer, musician, you name it- LOL! I have had the pleasure of rubbing elbow with some established artists from the industry, however, the most meaningful work is when a client wants to record songs that they have written, which ordinarily wouldn’t see the light of day. My ultimate desire is to turn their sketches into scores, dreams to a sonic reality. I also get joy from working with young people in the studio, aspiring engineers and songwriters, youth workshops and summer camps.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began my musical career at age 6 from the influence of my mother, Alma James Perry. She always said that I would do great things in music. From my youth and coming from a musical family, I mastered 10 instruments including drums, bass guitar, organ, piano, clarinet, and saxophone.

I am entering my 28th year with Grand Rapids Public Schools, obtained a BA in Music Education from Calvin University and an MA in Music Education from Western Michigan University, and an MA in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University (GVSU).

I was a recipient of numerous awards including the distinguished Ethel Coe Giant’s Award and the Malinda P. Sapp award. Most recently I received the Harlem Renaissance Culture Architect Award for service to my community through my business Joint Heir Music Studios.

My musical outreach also includes work with Grand Rapids Circle Theatre, Civic Theatre, and serving as the assistant musical director of Music at New Hope Baptist Church in Grand Rapids.

I have a long-lasting connection to the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) since 1995 and I serve on the National Music Selection Committee. I will be presenting a piece this year to the Woman’s Chorus and the National Mass Choir.

I have also composed works for national artists and has orchestrated full-scale works for the Grand Rapids Symphony and Westshore Symphony. In 1999 I founded my own chorale Majestic Praise in which we have recorded 3 albums. My latest album “Conqueror” was a live album completely produced with my own studio from start to finish. Shortly thereafter Majestic Praise released a single and video “I’ll Bless the Lord” was premiered at the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Celebration of Soul event. The video was special to me because it paid homage to my family who fostered my musical growth. Another project I’m proud of is a “Legacy” project recording which features my family from three generations.

I am also very fortunate to have worked with major influences in the recording industry. received a Grammy nomination with world renown Gospel artist Marvin Sapp.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn a valuable lesson about presentation without preparation. During my college days I had become established as a musician and had developed an ear to learn songs on the fly. Because of this I began to slack on practicing to properly prepare for rehearsals and performances.

One particular situation I distinctly remember at Calvin College, my choir professor, who was also my musical mentor asked me to prepare a piece to be ready for rehearsal. He gave me a few days to prepare which was more than adequate. I decided not to put the work in to have the piece learned. In rehearsal it really showed that I clearly was not ready in the way he expected. The next day the song was rehearsed, he had another student play the piece who played it quite proficiently. It was painfully obvious that I had been replaced. It was a hard pill to swallow but I never assumed again that my talent alone could get me by, but hard work and preparation is what strengthens your musicianship. To this day I respect what my professor did and I certainly “learned my lesson”. I know make sure I foster musicians who believe in “practice” to be prepared for playing situations.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is that through music I bring joy to my life other people’s lives. I am grateful for the gifts and talents I have and I don’t take for granted that this something I “get” to do. Music is my first love and by way of it I can impact those around me.  

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jointheirmusic.com
• Instagram: Debraperryjointheir
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/debra.l.perry
• Twitter: @jointheirmusic
• Youtube: JOINTHEIRMUSICTUBE