Deborah M. Lifton

Deborah M. Lifton, of West Hartford
Debbie's family and friends are heartbroken to announce her passing after a valiant and graceful 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. In her 48 years, Debbie left the enduring imprint of her talent and wisdom on the souls of all who knew her. The warmth, generosity and positive energy that she radiated in every interaction drew people to her like moths to a brilliant flame. She excelled in the multiple roles she played during her time on this stage - not only as a classical soprano and a professor of voice - but also as a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.
Born in Manhasset, NY, daughter of Arthur and Elaine (Pespas) Lifton, she was raised in Massapequa Park, NY and graduated from Massapequa High School, where she starred in multiple musical theater productions. Her talent and her love of music led her to highly competitive summer programs for young singers at the Eastman School of Music and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. She earned her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan, where she was cast in major opera productions alongside graduate students, and where she met many lifelong friends. She completed her Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music in 2000 and immediately embarked upon a successful 25-year college teaching career, holding positions at New York University, Ithaca College, Western Connecticut State University and the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, where she also served as Vocal Division Director.
Debbie was an insightful and nurturing teacher and mentor who will be deeply missed by the many generations of grateful students whose lives she touched. She was an exceptional vocal technician, but what set her apart was her belief in "teaching the whole person". Debbie saw learning to sing as a process of self-discovery, a way of accessing deeper truths about oneself and the world. She taught her students to understand their texts and communicate with audiences in a way that was authentic, vulnerable and moving. It is a testament to her teaching that of all her students, those who started out as the biggest "problem children" frequently graduated as her most loving, grateful and devoted fans.
She maintained an active performing career that took her to France, Hungary, China, Italy, and across the United States. While she excelled as a singing actress who lit up the opera stage, for Debbie, art song expressed the ultimate marriage of poetry and music. In 2007, Debbie won the prestigious Joy in Singing competition and performed a sold-out art song recital at New York's Merkin Hall with pianist Charis Dimaras. She was an ardent champion of contemporary works, collaborating with some of today's leading composers and performing on The American Opera Project's "Composers and the Voice" series, with the Center for Contemporary Opera, Encompass New Opera Theater, and the Magnitude 6 ensemble.
Debbie met her husband and soulmate, Daniel Gurvich, in 2001, while singing with him at the Ash Lawn Highland Festival in Charlottesville, VA. They loved to travel, particularly to tropical beaches, to Europe and to the National Parks of the American Southwest. Debbie will be profoundly missed by Dan and their beloved daughter, Maria Gurvich; Debbie's parents, Arthur and Elaine (Pespas) Lifton of Bloomfield; brother, Jason Lifton, and his wife, Catherine Ho, and nephews Harrison and Niko Lifton, of Brooklyn, NY; Daniel's parents, Mark and Nadia Gurvich, of Cary, NC; Sister-in-law Rachel Gurvich and her husband, Ken Chu, and niece and nephew Hannah and Nathan Chu, of Cary, NC; as well as by the devoted lifelong friends she made through every stage of her life.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Debbie's extraordinary life and legacy will be held Thursday, January 9th at 12:30 PM at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. Private burial will follow in Beth El Cemetery, Avon. Shiva will be held Friday, January 10th from 1:00-4:00pm and Saturday, January 11th from 6:00-8:30pm, at her late home in West Hartford. For those unable to join in person, the service will be live-streamed. Please see the link below under the service information.
Per Jewish custom, the family asks that no flowers be sent. Memorial gifts may be made to the Deborah Lifton Art Song Fund - https://bit.ly/deborah-lifton-fund Please see the direct link below "Donations".