Oct 8 In-Person Meeting Registration

Deborah shares her inspirational journey to risk everything to successfully pursue her dream to build an internationally highly regarded performing arts center with partner studios in Europe and Asia. Her odyssey includes her flight from a physically and emotionally abusive marriage of 23 years that culminated in threats from a rifle aimed at her to winning the first domestic violence law suit in US Civil Court.

In July 1993, after leaving an emotionally and physically abusive marriage of 23 years, Deborah Lysholm filed the first ever domestic violence law suit in US Civil Court. After the case was settled in her favor, she immediately sold her home and everything she owned to finance the construction of her own internationally highly regarded performing arts center, Heartbeat Studios. She has since become a sought-after speaker on domestic violence issues and for her inspirational and motivational story. Deborah is an accomplished performer, choreographer and master instructor of dance, an art form that became her salvation. Her odyssey from being a victim to being victorious has appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines and on television. Deborah’s presentations before the Minnesota Judicial and Legislative committees helped change the laws in Minnesota regarding domestic violence. She has been a featured speaker at scheduled public and private events. Deborah was twice nominated for the SGMA Heroes Award and captured the attention of entertainment luminaries such as the late Gregory Hines, Savion Glover and jazz singer, Bobby Caldwell; all of whom visited Heartbeat Studios to show support of her quest to start a new life in the performing arts. In just a few years, Heartbeat has grown into a comprehensive performing arts center with partner studios in Europe and Asia. Deborah performs and teaches world-wide and her unique story follows her in her travel as she inspires people to have a dream and pursue it. She is definitely moving to a new beat.