From singing duets with some of the world's best known recording artists, singing on numerous movie soundtracks and doing voiceovers for commercials, to being vocal coach for television and movie personalities and her roles in five Broadway shows, it's no wonder Debra Byrd (known as Byrd) was tapped to be the vocal coach for the 2006 tour of High School Musical - The Concert and for the Justin Timberlake, My Grammy Moment Contest, 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Best known as the vocal coach and vocal arranger for American Idol® and Canadian Idol®, as well as the show's North American music tours, Byrd brings her knowledge of musical expression and her own experiences in performing to groups of eager singers. With a natural gift for vocal artistry, Byrd not only helps the "future Idols" perform and arrange their music selections, she is a mentor and in many ways the heart of American Idol® and Canadian Idol®. "To be an Idol, you have to have more than a good voice. You need to have presence, a connection with the songs and understand what you're presenting." Byrd believes that one of the keys to vocal success is keeping the essence of what the songs represent by capturing what makes them special. These vital vocal tips and more are included in her brand new instructional DVD, Vocal Help Now!© a must-have for anyone who uses their voice. She created the DVD to share the tips, secrets, and exercises with singers around the world that she has previously only shared with world-renowned singers and actors to help maximize their vocal and audition performances. Vocal Help Now!© features appearances by two-time Grammy Winner and the original American Idol® Kelly Clarkson, former American Idol® finalists Kimberly Caldwell (American Idol® Season 2 and TV Guide Channel) and Anthony Fedorov (American Idol® Season 4), Rob James (Canadian Idol® Season 4), James Pickens, Jr. (Grey's Anatomy), 2005 Tony Award Winner Adriane Lenox, and Tony Award and Grammy Award nominee Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk Writer/Producer Zane Mark, among others. The consummate artist, Byrd was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a musical family. She studied piano at an early age and studied opera for eight years beginning at age 12. As a teenager she co-founded and sang in two church choirs, performed in a band, and narrated childrens' concerts for the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the world's most revered ensembles. At the world renowned Karamu Theater, she received training in acting and improv while serving as musical director there as well as at the E. Cleveland and Dobama Theaters. Her love of singing and performing took her to "play with the big kids" in New York City. Soon after arriving she answered an ad that said "Manilow Needs Girls." Her long-time association with Barry Manilow includes performing as his opening act for one of his incredibly successful international tours, providing back-up vocals for many of his performances, and creating the vocal arrangements for many of Manilow's tours and shows, including his Emmy award winning television special and DVD Music & Passion, which is based on his popular Las Vegas show. Byrd's resume also includes singing duets with the legendary Bob Dylan, as well as touring, recording and/or appearing in videos with The Eurythmics, UB40, Lyle Lovett, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin and Bob Geldof. She has been the vocal coach for "All My Children," various Holland America's Cruise Line shows, private students plus teaching voice at the performing arts school "All About Kids" in Los Angeles. Additionally, you can hear her voice on numerous movie soundtracks (Lion King 1 1/2, First Wives Club, Preacher's Wife, Thumbelina, Deliver Us From Eva, Dr. T and His Women, and Sister Act 2). As an actor, Byrd received outstanding reviews for her role as 'Da Singer' in the national touring company of Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk. Byrd was also featured on Broadway in The Human Comedy, Barry Manilow on Broadway, Haarlem Nocturne and both the national tour and Broadway's Ain't Misbehavin'. In 2001, Byrd was nominated for a Black Theatre Alliance Award for 'Best Actress in a Musical' for Could It Be Magic?