Woman to Woman Conference

"Deborah Klassen is an "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" according to the United States government; receiving that title along with her green card, after moving from Canada to Chattanooga, TN in 2003.  She is also a Canadian JUNO award winning recording artist {equivalent to the US Grammy}.  She is an award winning concert artist and conference worship leader and she can carry out all aspects of entire weekend retreats from music to speaking.  With her passion, vivacious personality, sensitive spirit and deep care for people, she seeks to format her program to fit every particular event to which she is invited.

Deborah brings over 25 years of experience with her.  She has had the honor of working with many outstanding Christian leaders such as Kay Arthur, Carol Kent, Jan Silvious, Florence Littauer, Janet Parschall, Beth Moore, Max Lucado, Ravi Zacharius, Tony Evans,  Nell Maxwell, Hilary Price, Annie Chapman, Kay de Kalb Smith, Michelle McKinney Hammond, .  She has performed with Chuck Newman, Natalie Grant, Alicia Williamson-Garcia, Toronto Mass Choir, Mark Masri, Danny Weiss, Babbie Mason, Jennifer Knapp and many others.

Deborah has been involved with many ministries including Focus on The Family, Precept Ministries International, Campus Crusade for Christ, The Crystal Cathedral, James Robinson, 700 Club, The World Series Winning Baseball team -Toronto Blue Jays, Southern Baptist Women's Conferences, Christian Booksellers Association {both US and Canadian events}, numerous church events, retreats, concerts,  and churches.  Deborah has also been featured on Margaret Becker's web-page for Independent Artists.

She has received training from Phyllis Antognini, a voice teacher and graduate from Julliard and Tom Jackson, a highly respected performance coach out of Nashville, TN. 

Her formal education is in the area of interior design and floral design.  Her real life education has been in the areas of abuse, suffering, trauma, rejection, forgiveness, loss, shattered dreams, questions and hope.

Bringing the same eye for beauty for which she is known, and a heart that is deeply touched by all of the senses, she desires to lead people to see God in a fresh new way; to move people to "do something with God."
Deborah writes:  "My desire is to invite people to look at the truth of their life story and find God as their author; to unlock the prison doors of religious thinking and "doing," and walk into the wide open spaces of living-passionately!  I want to make room for people's questions, doubts, confusion, pain, hopes, despair, laughter, shame, brokenness, and tears and escort them to a place of dignity and healing.  My desire is to invite people to come with me and dance the dance of life once more, even though their legs might feel weak, their ankles twisted and their hearts broken - so they can't feel the rhythms, or the music has grown quiet."
She continues:  "If what I bring to an event allows one person to feel again, cry again, hope again, face truth, breathe again, try again, know they are not alone, have an encounter with Jesus and experience the holy, healing salve from heaven-then my life will not have been lived in vain.  I open my mouth to speak and sing of the Great God of the Universe and I experience the extreme delight of feeling the pleasure of my Heavenly Father toward me.  My hope is that it causes others to want to experience the same.  I continue to find the dignity in the suffering.  Now I share my story of how I have come to KNOW God in the middle of it."

Deborah is married to her gorgeous husband, Earl Klassen.  She is also the mother of two adult children, Ryan and Andrea.   She has recently acquired the title of “mother-in-law” 

A life filled with excitement – a future filled with hope - a tragic accident. End  of story? Hardly, it's just the beginning. At age 29, Renée Bondi was engaged to be married and had a beautiful singing voice, a thriving career as a music teacher, and a loving family.

But then one night a bizarre accident shattered her spine and left her quadriplegic. Her life changed forever. Renée lost not only all use of her hands and legs, but also her singing voice -- she could barely speak above a whisper. Unwilling to accept that her life was over, Renée searched her heart and sought God for direction. Although there were many dark days, Renée continued to persevere. Against all odds and all physicians’ prognosis, Renée's voice was miraculously restored with a crystal clear, angelic sound.

Since her accident, six CDs have been recorded with more than 200,000 copies sold! Renée harnessed her talents to inspire and give hope to others. Her charisma and sense of humor provide plenty of light-hearted moments, including those that highlight her marriage and the birth of her son - events that took place after her accident! Renée’s entertaining and practical messages, which combine speaking and singing, have been met with overwhelming success by churches and conferences throughout the country. Her unique ability to be transparent allows her to reach out to each person in the audience creating intimate moments even in large convention halls. It is this special gift that has attracted many organizations to include Renée in their programs.

Prior to her injury, Renée earned a BA in Music Education and California teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. She was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” at San Clemente High School where she taught vocal music. Renée also performed with the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus, the California Bach Chorale, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and was selected to be a member of the choir representing the United States at the first World Symposium on Choral Music in Vienna, Austria. Renée lives in San Juan Capistrano, California with her husband, Mike, and their teenage son, Daniel.

Awards include:

• Gold Medallion nominee for her book The Last Dance but Not the Last Song
• Best Contemporary Acoustic Songwriter, Great American Song Contest
• Woman of the Year, California State Senate
• Unity Award, Inspirational Artist, United Catholic Music & Video Association
• Turning Your Scars into Stars Award, Crystal Cathedral Ministries
• Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Community, US House of Representatives
• Humanitarian Spirit Award, Goodwill Industries