Richtmeyer, Debra

Debra Richtmeyer (born June 19, 1957) is an American classical saxophonist. Born in Lansing, Michigan, Richtmeyer earned her B.M.E. and M.M. at Northwestern University, where she studied with Frederick L. Hemke. She is professor of saxophone at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she has served since 1991. Prior to her appointment at the University of Illinois, she served as saxophone professor at the University of North Texas College of Music from 1981 to 1991 and at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music from 1980 to 1981. Richtmeyer is an Honorary Life Member and past president of the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 1997 she became the first woman to perform as a concerto soloist with orchestra at a World Saxophone Congress, and in 2009 the first woman to teach a master class at the congress. Richtmeyer is a Selmer Paris saxophone artist. Richtmeyer was saxophonist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in performances and recordings from 1981 to 1991 and has performed with ensembles such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Navy Band, the Indianapolis Chamber Symphony, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Slovak Radio Orchestra and the Zlin Philharmonic. She has performed as soloist and given master classes throughout North America and Europe and in Thailand and China.