Debra first learnt to play pan from the age of nine at the 'The Crypt' in Paddington, home of the Ebony Steel Band at that time. The band was under the musical direction of Randolph Baptiste who ran classes for youngsters weekly and this was the beginning of Debra's love affair with pan. Schoolwork then took priority, so she had to stop playing pan to focus on academic work and the other instruments she already played. At age nine, Debra received a scholarship from ILEA which entitled her to free tuition until the age of 16. Debra played four other instruments and sung Opera which is her other love. Debra performed in various concerts as a member of her school junior orchestra, and sang as a vocalist in three choirs plus the swing band. She became the conductor of Burlington Danes Jazz Orchestra 'Bassetts Allsorts' after Mr Bassett died, while still a student at the high school. As a vocalist, a young Black Opera singer, Debra performed at the Royal Festival Hall Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden and as a cast member of an opera written for children at Sadler's Wells theatre.

At age 13 she joined the Stardust Steel Band under the unique guidance of the late Randolph Baptiste. At Stardust, she learned the importance of the instrument and its culture. She was also impressed with their discipline. In 1989, she again became a member of the Ebony Steel Band. This move gave her the opportunity to gain a totally new explosion of experience travelling and performing in Europe. Ebony's arranger was Anise 'Haffers' Hadeed. Anise and Ebony dominated the British pan scene for the whole of the 90's. This proved to be a master class of a lifetime for Debra who discovered an interest in arranging and was ready to take the leap.

Teacher, Bandleader, Arranger, Competition Judge

Teaching the art of playing pan has played an important role in her life with experience which spans over 18 years and began in 1992 at Burlington Danes Secondary School. It has given Debra great pleasure to see her students become confident pan players and soloists, entering competitions, developing their own style in arranging and performing in the UK.

1994 saw the birth of Debra's very own band, the New Creation Steel Band, an extension from her Burlington Danes school band. In the same year, she became the first British female bandleader /arranger to take a band – New Creation Steel Band, to the National Junior Panorama competition. Unsatisfied with the result of that competition, Debra entered the band in the Notting Hill Panorama 'Champions of Steel' competition with no sponsor, just the support of family and friends. The band was a member of the PPA (Pan Players Academy).

Debra has been based in the Tabernacle, Powis Square, London (now Carnival Village) since 1999 teaching the steelpan art form as part of the Mangrove Steel Band's education programme. Over the years she has taught a range of students there, some as young as five years old. Debra's additional role there as an arranger of the Mangrove Junior Steel Band has seen them achieve Junior Panorama titles in 2000, 2002-05, TV appearances and documentaries on BBC, ITV and Disney Channel, performances for The Dioceses of Trinidad and Tobago and runners up in 2006 BAS Pan Explosion Competition. Debra has gone on to judge both Junior Panorama and Pan Explosion competitions several times since. When given the opportunity she has arranged several pieces for Mangrove Steel Band for whom she has also played as a band member since the late 90's.

On the international scene, Debra has been very proud to have played in the Trinidad and Tobago’s National Panorama Final Competition, since 2007 with the Phase II Pan Groove Steel Band led by the legendary Len Boogsie Sharpe, 'the Mozart of Pan'. He is a personal friend and mentor who has inspired and influenced Debra along the way.

In 2008, Debra returned to the Notting Hill Panorama 'Champions of Steel' competition, this time as Stardust Steel Orchestra's musical arranger, the band with which she had started her musical career. She is currently the Manager of Ladies of Steel, Musical Director of Stardust Steel Orchestra, Lucy Cavendish Liberators Steel Band & CU Steel Orchestra at Cambridge University, Glissando Steel Band and Twyford School Steel Orchestra. She is also one of Mangrove Steelband’s in-house arrangers and responsible for the steel drum education at Carnival Village London and Ealing Music Service.

Debra Romain has also has her own business offering tuition to students of all ages who wish to develop their pan playing skills, also offering the opportunity for GCSE & A-Level music students to work on composition and scoring their pan work.

Performer - 'Pan Diva'

Ladies Of Steel is the new main focus for Debra. It is an all steel, all female Orchestra and will be tackling various orchestral works on pan. Ladies Of Steel will be working with operatic singers and classical musicians to create a new dynamic steel experience, with the intention of finding to new audiences for Pan to be heard. Debra is currently showcasing her combined talents as a vocalist and soloist pan player around the world as a main and supporting artist.



Click here for additional links

The Count
Listen on panonthenet.com

Trials of a Pan Woman
Listen on panonthenet.com
RECOMMEND Your choice of Panorama - Tunes for 2012