Meet Debra Toscano | Singer/Entertainer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Debra Toscano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Debra, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Long Island, NY and I grew up in a musical household. My father is a musician and was my first music teacher. I studied music from the age of 5 years old with my first instrument being the accordion (which was my father’s first instrument), then at age 10 he taught me piano. But when I figured out that I could sing, that was it for me. I fell in love with singing and being a singer was all I focused on. I made it my life’s mission! I started singing professionally at the age of 12 and have been performing professionally ever since.

Over the years as I grew up in the business, I performed with many bands. But as band work started to fizzle out for me, I realized that I needed to reinvent myself, so I quickly pivoted to working with DJ’s who were adding live performers to their rosters at various events. I started singing to tracks instead of live music and I found myself working just as much as I did in the years past.

However, while performing/singing live year after year and event after event, I realized that I wanted more as an entertainer and the need to reinvent myself as an artist presented itself to me yet again. I was always auditioning for what I hoped would be my next great gig, whether it be in music or acting, but I started auditioning more and more for live theater as well as tv and film and I landed myself a phenomenal role in a very long running off broadway show, which now continues to play, still at present time, all over the world.

Learning and studying music at an early age taught me so much more than I could ever imagine. The discipline and perseverance it takes to learn an instrument, or perfect your craft, takes hours and hours of practice. There are days when you don’t want to practice, but somehow you push yourself to do it because it’s what you love. The work ethic I learned by practicing and working as an artist is something I carry with me always…for without it I wouldn’t be where I am today….a working singer/actress, who works every single day.

I knew at some point, all of my hard work would eventually get me to where I wanted to be…..and it did. My father always told me, “Debbie, you will always be able to make a living in the music business” and he was right!
Yet, like every artist/singer/musician, I strive every day to better myself in my career. It’s a constant life of auditioning and putting yourself out there, and searching for a better gig. It’s about keeping yourself connected to your network and trying to connect with people you don’t even know. It’s a life where you have to have a thick skin because there are more “NO’s” than “YES’s” But you have to keep on pushing forward. This is what I wanted so I never gave up on myself and I never will.
I am grateful and blessed to be able to sing and perform every single day, because that was my dream from the start!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I made music/acting and entertaining my life. It was and still isn’t the easiest of professions, but I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. I worked hard over the years, and still work every day singing, working, studying, practicing, auditioning…hours and hours of hard work to perfect my craft to my best abilities.

You put yourself out there for work and sometimes there are more NO’s than YES’s. So many times I lost work because I wasn’t the right “look” or the right “sound” but you have to have a thick skin to keep on going in this business of SHOW!
I am are my own brand. I constantly tell myself that “there is no one out there who is you and you are unique! ” Make your brand unique. Pivot, change, reinvent yourself when you need to. I’ve learned that I have to change constantly in this business in order to survive.

Whether I am in a movie, a tv show, singing live for Seniors, or singing at an event, I give it my all with a grateful heart that I a get to do what I love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to NYC and then to Las Vegas. Both places are so very exciting.

Being that I live in New York, the city would be the most exciting. So much to do and see especially a Broadway show.
My favorite was Hello Dolly but that’s not running anymore at this time, but any show will be exciting to see. And of course the Guggenheim museum….and then of course you would have to eat at the iconic BECCO restaurant and also FRESCO by Scotto. So much to do in NYC!

And then off to Vegas we would go, where the shows and the extravaganza of it all are simply something that everyone should experience in their life time! The Venetian Hotel alone is stunning as well as the Bellagio and Aria hotels. Just seeing all the hotels and the properties in vegas is an experience like non other!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my shout out to my amazing family: My mom, dad and my sister. For without their love and support, I wouldn’t be who I am today!

My mother is always the strongest woman I know! She is the most supportive of everything I do. She encourages me every day to keep on pushing forward, to never give up and to be grateful that I get to live out my dream no matter what!

My dad, my first music teacher and mentor, He gave me the gift of music at the age of 5 and instilled in me the life dedication it takes to do what I do. I learned and still learn from his example that you have to follow your dream and never give up!

My sister, a phenomenal musician, and also my first and only musical writing partner. I cherish the memories of all the hours we spent at the piano writing our songs….we have so much more to write. Your talents are amazing and I learn from you every single day.

I also want to thank Mrs. Lillith Kopman. “Mrs. K” as I affectionately call her, was my high school drama teacher. She taught me so much about acting and performing and just being. Her precious words of wisdom and encouragement are always with me.

Instagram: @debbielala105

Twitter: @debbielala