Editor’s Note: As we celebrate 10 years of Inspiring Women, we caught up with a few of our past ‘cover girls’…
Her Story: Debi Rogers has been blessing the Bismarck-Mandan area with her many musical talents for years. Referencing her article: she plays a rare form of Gaelic harp, teaches music at Ft. Lincoln Elementary, directs church choir and theater productions, gives private music lessons and wants to make jewelry, paint more and explore space.
IW: Have you accomplished any of the last three?
DR: Yes to all three!
At the time of the first article, I envisioned painting being “fine art”, but instead, with the help of paint, I turned my home into an artist’s studio. White walls and beige carpet were eliminated and the walls and woodwork blossomed into fire engine red, field of daisies yellow, and pool blue – with slashes of lime green and orange. Floors became cherry wood with brilliant folk art inspired rugs.
“Tinkers” is the name of my jewelry studio, where I lovingly make jewelry. Primarily self taught, I’d been beading and such for years, but decided two summers ago to take a class at BSC to learn the “proper” method of jewelry construction. It was awe inspiring, so I got my jeweler’s bench and proceeded to visit hardware stores, antique galleries and rummage sales in search of perfect tools and supplies. Most of my creations thus far have been gifts, but about a week ago the silver, gold and stones called to me and I can’t seem to put my hammers down.
As for exploring space, traveling is one of my great loves. Since 2002 I’ve served as an artistic ambassador for North Dakota in Iceland through an artist exchange program of the North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA); sat in on music sessions in Kenmare, Skerries, and Dublin, Ireland; spent three weeks in Japan (thanks to the Fulbright Memorial Fund); visited Turkey, Greece and the Islands; attended the Summer Summer School of Irish Harp (Scoil na gCláirseach) in Kilkenny, Ireland; celebrated my 30th anniversary with my husband in he highlands of Scotland; and just returned from my third trip to Ireland. 17 foreign countries and counting…But I always return home. Roots grow deep.
IW: Are you still teaching at Ft. Lincoln?
DR: No, I was fortunate to retire early from public school teaching three years ago and am now a full time performing artist. My husband once said, “If there’s a stage, she’ll perform!” So true. Long ago, when asked to categorize what I do, I was stymied. See, what I do is a bit eclectic – actress, singer, teller of tales, instrumentalist, teacher, entertainer, dancer, director – you get the idea. So I figured the term “performing artist” fit the bill perfectly.
But I still visit classrooms across the state as an rostered Art-in-Education traditional folk artist for the NDCA sharing and learning from kids.
IW: Do you still get to share your Gaelic stories and harp playing with others?
DR: Absolutely! Performing with Brigid (my harp) is so wonderful and I share all things Celtic in public performance and during residencies – songs, stories and dance! Also, I’m continuing an apprenticeship learning Irish (Gaelic) singing with my amazing teacher, Irishman Dáithí Sproule.
IW: Is there someplace we can see you perform soon?
DR: August brings my friend Sue Bicknell, Brigid and myself to the Chuck Suchy Bohemian Hall venue and a booking at Frontier Village in Jamestown on the 25th. I’m very pleased to be at WomanSong again this year September 10-11.
IW: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians and performers?
DR: I know it sounds really corny, but follow your heart and be true to your dreams. Don’t worry about money, or what others think, but instead, listen to that unique light deep inside and sing fearlessly, even if you’re off key. Spend more time dancing in broad daylight, create something original each day and – no matter how strange it seems – do what brings you joy. Oh…and practice always helps!
IW: Who inspires you and why?
DR: Ethnic musicians and art, children, nature, the Otherworld, my family and friends, and of course, bright shiny things.
Debi’s Favorites
BOOK: The Velveteen Rabbit, Gwinna, The Three Musketeers, Shakespeare
MOVIE: The Secret of Roan Inish, Polansky’s MacBeth, The Whale Rider, The Red Violin, Ever After, A Knight’s Tale and as a child, Swiss Family Robinson
QUOTE: (to paraphrase) “Life is far too important to be taken seriously.” Oscar Wilde AND “We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” Shakespeare