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Image by Holy Smokes Photography

Alum

Debo Ray (Deborah Pierre)

Assistant Professor
Affiliated Departments
Voice
Personal Websites
Debo Ray's Website

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Deborah Pierre, who performs as Debo Ray, is a Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and educator recognized for her genre-blending sound and dynamic stage presence. A Berklee alumna, she has emerged as a leading voice in Boston and New York’s jazz and world music scenes, infusing every performance with storytelling, nuance, and fearless emotionality.

As a collaborator, Debo is known for her vocal agility, improvisational instinct, and commitment to musical conversation. She has toured internationally and performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Newport and Montreux Jazz Festivals. Her artistry has been shared alongside luminaries such as Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, and members of Snarky Puppy.

As an educator, her approach emphasizes artistic identity, vocal freedom, and grounded technique, encouraging students to find both discipline and joy in their process.

Career Highlights
  • Debut self-titled album Debo Ray released in 2025, featuring original songs that blend soul, rock, R&B, and jazz into cinematic, emotionally rich storytelling
  • Lead vocalist for Social Science (with Aaron Parks, Matthew Stevens, Morgan Guerin, Kassa Overall, Esperanza Spalding, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Rapsody, and others), appearing at the Melbourne Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, the Grammy Pre-Telecast Ceremony, and the Hollywood Bowl
  • Featured on WGBH, WNYC, and NPR’s Tiny Desk
  • Former lead vocalist and frontwoman of Behind These Eyes, a jazz-funk-pop fusion band led by Berklee professor emeritus Hal Crook
  • Former music director, arranger, and lead vocalist of Women of the World (with Annette Zahara Philip, Giorgia Renosto, and Ayumi Ueda), an international touring ensemble and competition winner (Vokal Total, Aca Open, Harmony Sweepstakes)
Awards
  • 2020 Grammy Awards, Nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Waiting Game by Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science
  • 2024 USA Songwriting Competition, Winner of Best R&B Song
  • 2024 Boston Music Awards, Nominee for Best R&B Artist
In Their Own Words
I want students to leave my lessons with a deeper understanding of their own voice, technically, emotionally, and artistically. Whether they’re building foundational skills or preparing for a high-level performance, my goal is for each student to develop the tools and trust needed to sing with freedom, authenticity, and command. I create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, risk-taking is celebrated, and voice becomes a vehicle for personal truth and connection.

My career has taken me from intimate jazz clubs to global stages, from fronting ensembles to recording Grammy-nominated work. Performing alongside artists like Terri Lyne Carrington, Bobby McFerrin, and Esperanza Spalding has shaped my sense of musical integrity and adaptability. Those experiences taught me how to listen deeply, collaborate with intention, and stay grounded in high-pressure environments, all lessons I bring directly into the studio. I teach from both the science of voice and the lived experience of performance, so students can develop not only technique, but artistry and resilience.