Artist Bio (Save Version)
Deborah Schuurmans is a pianist and composer based in Kingston, Ontario, whose ambient and neoclassical piano music weaves together expressive piano, spoken word, and nature-inspired storytelling.
Her recent creative work blends original piano compositions with reflective spoken word and visual imagery drawn from the natural world. Through these interdisciplinary projects, Deborah explores themes of time, landscape, memory, and the quiet rhythms of everyday life, inviting listeners into moments of stillness and connection.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Deborah began studying piano at a young age and later earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s University in Kingston. She is a certified Suzuki piano teacher and a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA), and has spent many years teaching and mentoring students while building a vibrant piano community in the Kingston area.
Alongside her solo work, Deborah has collaborated widely as an accompanist and performing musician. She has accompanied vocalists and instrumentalists for concerts, church services, and school theatre productions, and regularly performs as a pianist for weddings, garden parties, community events, and fundraisers. Over the years she has also played in blues and rock bands and participated in local jam sessions.
Deborah co-hosts a poetry improvisation event with poet Meg Freer, where music and spoken word intersect in live collaborative performance. She also occasionally performs with her daughter, singer-songwriter Jazzy, who performs under the stage name Bathwash, blending piano and voice in intimate performances.
Deborah continues to compose, perform, and develop new creative projects that connect music, storytelling, and the natural world.