Beloved music teacher loses battle with cancer
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

IN TUNE- Debra McCarthy enjoys some time at home with her significant other, Lawrence Bologna, in 2006. "Debbie was such a good teacher, so wonderful with children at any age," said Bologna, whose three daughters went to McCarthy for lessons.

For more than 20 years, Debra McCarthy taught piano and music theory to students in Simi Valley. The music faded on Dec. 21 when McCarthy, 51, died after a valiant battle with breast cancer.

This Sunday, Jan. 27, family and friends will bid farewell to the beloved music teacher with a memorial service at OneSpirit Center for Conscious Living on Erringer Road.

"I learned a lot about being a good person from her. She was a very optimistic person, very friendly, always kind," said Elise Swanson, who began studying piano with McCarthy at age 8.

Swanson continued taking weekly lessons with McCarthy throughout her adolescence.

"I liked to practice for Debbie and show her what I had learned," said the Simi Valley High School graduate, who's now 20. "I wanted her to be proud of me."

Debra McCarthy

This past year, as McCarthy's health deteriorated, she was under hospice care. Devoted companion Lawrence Bologna was by her side.

Bologna, a graphic artist and musician, first met McCarthy when his three young daughters started piano lessons with her.

"Debbie was such a good teacher, so wonderful with children at any age," he said.

After a mastectomy and complications from the disease, McCarthy lost the use of her left arm- a huge blow for the music teacher, Bologna said.

"She would show children movements and fingering exercises," he said. "Losing the use of her hand was very difficult, and, of course, it was a sign that she would never be able to play again."

McCarthy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She received a bachelor's degree in music at the University of Calgary.

Hoping to break into the music industry, McCarthy moved to Southern California in 1984, settling in Simi Valley in 1988. A love of music drew McCarthy and Bologna together after their first marriages ended in divorce.

"Debbie loved classical music because she was classically trained, but really she loved all kinds of music- from Earth, Wind and Fire to rock 'n' roll to flamenco," Bologna said.

McCarthy taught music locally at the Buckley School and Junior Music Academy. She was musical director and composer for Performance Arts Workshops and Simi Arts Conservatory until 1994 and continued to teach privately.

She was active at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, organizing concerts and musical competitions.

"Debbie was one of the original people who put together the kids' musical theater workshop with me," said Jan Glasband, director of the Simi Arts Conservatory. "She was such a wonderful educator. I would like to nominate her for the theater's educator-of-the-year award."

Bethany Spielman, 15, a ninth-grader at Royal High School, studied with McCarthy for the past two years.

"You could pick up what Miss Debbie taught you right away. She didn't confuse you," Spielman said. "She was patient and fun at the same time. All her students really loved her."

Swanson, now a student at UCLA, said she often plays the piano songs she learned under McCarthy's tutelage.

"Debbie taught me to persevere even if you have a tough part of life or an illness. Debbie never let her struggles show," Swanson said. "She always worked for the kids and making other people happy."