Debra Richtmeyer is an internationally renowned saxophonist and pedagogue.  She has been Professor of Saxophone at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 1991 and has performed as a soloist in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Thailand. She has performed or recorded as a featured soloist with numerous ensembles, including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The United States Navy Band, and the Indianapolis, Knoxville, Slovak Radio, and Zlin Martinu Czech Republic orchestras. Professor Richtmeyer has premiered commissioned works at seven World Saxophone Congresses and three North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, and in 1997 became the first woman to perform as a concerto soloist with orchestra at a World Saxophone Congress. Professor Richtmeyer has given featured recitals and master classes at numerous venues including the World Saxophone Congress, British Saxophone Conference, U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference, and Paris Conservatory.

She has been selected to adjudicate numerous competitions including 3rd Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition held in Bangkok, Thailand in July 2011.  She has also performed in back-up ensembles for such entertainers as Natalie Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Seals & Crofts, Doc Severinsen and Bob Hope.

Professor Richtmeyer’s solo recording, Light of Sothis, was described by The Saxophone Symposium as, “sterling throughout ... a first- class soloist by any standards.” The Dallas Morning News called her performance, “atmospheric ... and ravishing ... first-class solo playing.” Richtmeyer’s solo CD,Extravaganza for Saxophone and Orchestra, released by Albany Records was reviewed as "…flawless...an extraordinary album..." by the American Record Guide. Her CD, World Without Words: Debra Richtmeyer and The University of Illinois 2008-2009 Saxophone Studio, released by Mark Records, was selected for the 2011 Grammy Entry List.  Internationally renowned French saxophone legend, Jean-Marie Londeix reviewed it as, “REMARKABLE! A beautiful example of what we can make (that everybody does not make) in a high-level class! …As for your performance in the saxophone, it is exemplary as usual. Impeccable playing, luxurious tone, style without criticism.”  Most recently, she may be heard performing the new Concerto for Saxophone by Lee Actor on his 2011 CD released by Navona Records and reviewed by The American Record Guide as being, "...a terrific piece and the University of Illinois saxophone professor, Debra Richtmeyer, gives it a wonderful reading.  She has the requisite technical skills and a flair for the dramatic, and she expertly walks the classical saxophones's timbre tightrope..."

Previously a member of the music faculty at the University of North Texas from 1981-1991, Richtmeyer holds degrees from Northwestern University, where she was a student and teaching assistant of Frederick L. Hemke. In 2002 she received the University of Illinois Campus Award for Outstanding Graduate and Professional Teaching and she received the College of Fine and Applied Arts Award for Outstanding Faculty in 1997.  Professor Richtmeyer is Past-President of the North American Saxophone Alliance and an artist/clinician for Conn-Selmer Incorporated.

Notable Students that received degrees at UIUC or UNT under Professor Richtmeyer's supervision:

• Greg Ball, Instructor of Woodwinds and Jazz Studies, Tarleton State University, President-elect of the Texas Jazz Educators Association, Texas All-state Jazz Co-ordinator. (MM, UNT)
• Michael Bovenzi, Assistant Professor, University of North Florida (DMA, UIUC)
• Will Campbell, Saxophone Professor and Director of Jazz Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, former saxophonist in Harry Connick Jr. Band (DMA, UIUC)
• Jeff Collins, Winner of Artist Presentation Society competition in St. Louis, Missouri, Semi-Finalist in Geneva International Saxophone Competition, Member of UIUC Grad Qt winner of Coleman Chamber Music National Competition (MM, UIUC)
• Kenneth Coons, Baritone Saxophonist in the Rascher Saxophone Quartet (MM, UNT)
• John Currey, Director of Bands, Central High School, Champaign, VP IMEA Jazz Division, UIUC Concerto Winner (MM, UIUC)
• David Dees, Associate Professor of Saxophone, Texas Tech University; 2011-212 North American Saxophone Alliance Competition Director (BM, UNT)
• Noa Even, Third Prize, 3rd Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition, Bangkok, Thailand, first year DMA student at Bowling Green, TA (MM, TA, UIUC)
• Karen Finnson, Professor of Saxophone, University of Regina, Winner of UNT Concerto Competition (MM, UNT)
• Connie Frigo, Professor of Saxophone, University Georgia at Athens, UIUC Fulbright Scholar (Netherlands), 2007-2010 Competition Director, North American Saxophone Alliance, former member New Century Saxophone Quartet (MM, UIUC)
• Joyce Griggs, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, School of Music, University of Illinois (BME, UIUC and DMA UIUC)
• Randy Hamm, Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies and Coordinator of Woodwinds, Missouri State University (BME, MM UNT)
• J. Michael Holmes, Enrollment Management Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Music, University of Illinois; Winner of the UIUC Concerto Competition (MM, TA, UIUC and DMA UIUC)
• Adrianne Honnold, Lecturer in Saxophone at Washington University St. Louis and University of Missouri- St. Louis (BME, MM, UIUC)
• Tim Ishii, Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies, University of Texas at Arlington (BME, UNT)
• Richard Kelley, Lecturer in Saxophone and Jazz Studies, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (DMA Jazz, Classical cognate, TA, UIUC)
• Jeremy Koch, Principal Saxophonist, The Washington D.C. United States Air Force Band and Saxophone Quartet, Saxophone Instructor, Shephard University (MM, TA, UIUC)
• Glenn Kostur, Director of Jazz Studies, University of New Mexico; Former Saxophonist, Composer/Arranger and Music Director for Maynard Ferguson Band, (BME, UNT)
• Jackie Lamar, Professor of Saxophone, University of Central Arkansas (DMA, TA, UNT)
• Brad Leali, Professor of Jazz Saxophone, University of North Texas, Lead Alto Saxophonist for Harry Connick Jr. Band (BME, UNT)
• Ryan Leatherman, Saxophonist, Band of the West, United States Air Force (MM, DMA ABD, TA, UIUC)
• Nathan Nabb, Associate Professor of Saxophone Stephen F. Austin State University (BM, UIUC)
• Matt Olson, Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies, Furman University (DMA, UIUC)
• Phil Pierick, 2011 Vandoren Emerging Artist, Winner of 2009-2010 Frank Huntington Beebe Fund National Competition For Musicians; Winner of University of Illinois Armstrong Award; UI Presser Scholar; Semi-Finalist at 3rd Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition (BM, MM in progress, TA, UIUC)
• James Romain, Saxophone Professor, Drake University; Winner of UIUC Concerto Competition; Membership Director, North American Saxophone Alliance (DMA, TA, UIUC)
• Rob Rose, Professional musician, composer, teacher in Dallas, Grand Prize Winner of the National Young Artist Competition, The North American Saxophonist Alliance Region 7 Young Artist Competition, UNT Concerto Competition, (BM, MM TA, UNT)
• Taimur Sullivan, Saxophone Professor at the North Carolina School of the Arts; Winner of  UIUC Armstrong Award (BM, UIUC)
• Vanessa Sielert, Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies, University of Idaho (DMA, UIUC)
• Scotty Stepp, Assistant Professor at Depauw University; Winner of the North American Saxophone Alliance Solo Saxophone competition; UIUC Fulbright Scholar (Paris, France) (DMA ABD, TA, UIUC)
• Joseph Tomasso, Winner of the 2011 9th International Music Competition Premio "Citta di Padova" and Winner of the 2011 9th International Edition of "Premio Virtuoso" Competition (BM, UIUC)
• Kenneth Tse, Associate Professor of Saxophone, University of Iowa; Yamaha Solo Artist (DMA, UIUC)
• Richard Wyman, Chief Warrant Officer, Assistant Director, United States Coast Guard Band, former member of USCG Band and Saxophone Quartet, (MM, TA, UIUC)