Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Piano, and Guitar

Debbie began piano lessons when she was five years old. She played the cello and violin throughout junior high and high school. Debbie began the string program in Hurricane in 1992. She taught orchestra at Hurricane Middle School and Hurricane High School for 30 years. Debbie has performed with Southwest Symphony for over 25 years.

Debbie was a founding member of the Hurricane Valley Symphony in 2018 and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Debbie has transcripts from every college or university in Utah. She loves to quilt, crochet, knit, ride her bike and read about people who have changed the world. She has been married to Jim Thornton for over 50 years. Together they have five children and 13 grandchildren. They have lived in Hurricane since 1991.