Deborah L Dietz

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA, Ms. Dietz has been associated with music education since her arrival in Sydney in 1975. The French horn is Ms. Dietz’s main instrument of choice, having played Principal horn with the Ku Ring Gai Philharmonic Orchestra for over 25 years, as well as having performed with the AOBO and various professional and community organisations, including the Waverley Bondi Beach Band.  Under her baton for 10 years, the Kids Proms of the KPO grew to be a highlight of the KPO concert season.

Ms. Dietz was also the first woman invited to adjudicate the NSW School Band Festival and has been listed in Who’s Who of Australasia and the Orient.

Ms. Dietz brings many years of experience to her position as adjudicator.  She was the former conductor of the bands and orchestras at Hornsby Girls’ High School, she holds Bachelor of Science (Hon) and  Master of Science (Hon) degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA, where she majored in instrumental conducting, studying with Dr. Harry Begian and Mr. Paul Vermel. During her time in the U of I Symphonic Band, she had the privilege of performing in the recordings the works of Percy Grainger, giving Ms. Dietz a special affection for this renowned Australian composer. The recording was considered the best of his wind works by the Grainger Museum at the University of Melbourne.