Deborah McAlexander was challenged to redirect the focus of her life when she became legally blind at the age of twenty-four. At that time, she was a violin performance scholarship student at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music. Her career goal was to become a professional symphony orchestra violinist. When retina specialists informed her she would be blind and deaf by the age of thirty, her life plummeted into a downward tailspin of terror. Through music, horses, and faith, she has learned how to transcend and transform tribulation into triumph and, in the process, has discovered the Key to a Victorious Life’s Ride.

After becoming legally blind, Deborah launched a successful career as an accomplished musician, free-lance performer, teacher, and motivational speaker. Her business, Bravo Performances LLC, is located in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Deborah holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and master of music degree in piano performance from the same university. Her teachers have included Ellen Brassfield, Thomasina Greene, Charlene Mitchell, Connie Herbert, and Janice Wenger. She has enjoyed performing for over 125 events in the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. Deborah connects with her audiences, and gives a part of herself to each person who listens to her. With a proven reputation for artistic musicianship and superior customer service, Deborah can be trusted to provide a musical memory for social or corporate events that will last a lifetime.  

In addition to her work as a professional pianist, Deborah is a nationally recognized music educator who owns and operates an independent piano studio for students of all ages and all skill levels. She is an active member of Music Teachers National Association and Immediate Past President of the Mid-Missouri Area Music Teachers Association. In July 2012, she earned the status of a Music Teachers National Association Permanent Professional Certified Teacher of Music in Piano. According to MTNA records, Deborah is the only legally blind music educator to have achieved this level of success. She has served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Lighthouse Preparatory Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Deborah participates in an equestrian training program at Fairview Farms, New Bloomfield, Missouri. She looks forward to the challenges of horseshow competition and to the Life Lessons she learns from every horse she rides. Equestrian training is filling her toolbox with tools for achieving success, not only in the show ring, but also in life.

Deborah enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Horse Show Association. In the recent past, she has provided motivational speaking and piano performance presentations for several MHSA Award Banquets.

In addition to  her professional services, Deborah is active in various mid-Missouri organizations.  Currently, she serves as President of the Morning Music Club. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services.

In her inspirational entertainment presentation, VISION BEYOND EYESIGHT - Life’s Ride: The Key to Victory, Deborah presents a believable case that the principles leading to success in the sport of equestrian performance apply to everyday settings in business and personal life. Her presentation draws parallels between the unpredictable nature of horse show competition and the uncontrollable environments people deal with on a daily basis; at work, at home, and in the community. Set against the backdrop of her passionate partnerships with trustworthy horses, Deborah’s presentation provides a framework to help you achieve victory in your life by offering practical, humorous, and often unconventional advice. Deborah touches on many subjects including how to overcome adversity, manage fear, take risks, improve leadership and teamwork skills, deal with changing environments, survive battles, and redirect your focus from a negative to a positive perspective. Deborah’s equestrian analogies provide insight in how to function effectively in our unpredictable world of adversity, failure, and negative situations. Her piano performances, horse tales, and exciting visuals will educate, entertain, and inspire you to guide a triumphant ride in your performance arena of life.