About Diana

Born in the Mountain West, Diana grew up loving the great outdoors, horses, skiing, and all things beautiful, especially music. She began violin at an early age, but always knew she wanted to be a singer. “I will go where my voice takes me,” she decided, and indeed it has taken her around the world.

Diana feels blessed to have studied with wonderful, inspiring teachers and coaches. And, she has performed with some of the greats in the business. With the wealth of training and performing opportunities that have come to her, Diana understands the importance of passing forward what has become her life’s work.

Her philosophy on the art of singing is “Freeing the Natural Voice.” A voice that is free of tension is the best it can be, regardless of what kind of music is being sung. The same is true for the singer. The joy of expressing yourself through words and music is worth the journey, rewarding beyond expression.

Whether you want to sing professionally or not, come learn to sing from a true professional! You will know you are with a Master Teacher from the very first lesson.

As the youngest contestant, Diana Walker was awarded second prize in the International American Music Competition at Carnegie Hall, signaling the arrival of an important young artist. On that occasion the New York Times wrote:

“Miss Walker had the most impressive voice — a strong, beautiful soprano with a gleaming accuracy everywhere in its range.”

Since then, Miss Walker has appeared in opera, musical theatre or in concert on five continents. She has distinguished herself in a variety of roles with many opera companies. At New York City Opera she has performed many roles, including her debut at age 25 as Leila in LES PERCHEURS DE PERLES; Gilda in RIGOLETTO, Adele in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Micaela in CARMEN, Barbara in Argento’s CASANOVA, Marsinah in KISMET, and sang and danced as Ninette in L’AMOUR DES TROIS ORANGES.

With Seattle Opera she was hailed for her performances of the title roles in THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE and LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. Other favorite performances include Kathie in THE STUDENT PRINCE with Baltimore Operetta Renaissance, Natalie in THE MERRY WIDOW with Chattanooga Opera, and Laetitia in THE OLD MAID AND THE THIEF with St. Louis Opera.

As well as giving concerts, she has performed with the Opera Companies of her two home towns: In Kansas City she impressed audiences and composers alike with her portrayals of Abigail in Robert Ward’s THE CRUCIBLE, and again in the extremely demanding singing/dancing role of Ariel in Lee Hoiby’s THE TEMPEST; in Utah she debuted as the Queen of the Night, in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE.

Miss Walker made her European opera debut in DIE ENTFUHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL with L’Opera de Nice, France. She performed with Maestro Stephen Simon and the Handel Festival Society at Kennedy Center in JOSHUA and RINALDO as Soprano Soloist/Angel. Her first MAHLER 4th was with the Roanoke Symphony, and she has sung numerous performances of Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA, and Handel’s MESSIAH. Composer David Del Tredici recommended her to the National Ballet of Canada for the 1986 World Premiere of Glen Tetley’s new ballet “Alice”, which is choreographed to his Pulitzer Prize winning score “In Memory of a Summer Day”. This highly acclaimed ballet featuring the sweet, clear voice of Miss Walker has now been performed in Toronto, Chicago, Washington D.C., Florida and the West Coast, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and at the Coliseum in London, England.

Miss Walker was presented in a Town Hall recital in New York (Winners Circle Series), and has appeared in Concert at Carnegie Hall and Carnegie Recital Hall. She has sung semi-staged concert performances of THE IMPRESSARIO with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Miami Chamber Symphony. She has also appeared in concert at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as, the National Coliseum in London, England, the Bass Hall in Ft Worth, and many more..

At the International Art Song Festival, (at Petit Jean, Arkansas) she gave a joint recital with Ned Rorem. A specialist in contemporary music, she has appeared with several new music groups, including the 20th Century Consort of Washington, D.C. the “Meet the Moderns” series in New York, with Lucas Foss.

She has given a number of recital/masterclasses at Universities and special events, including the Universities of Massachusetts-Amherst , Hawaii, Utah and Brigham Young University, and the National Conference of The Association of Christian and Jews.

Composer/Conductor Victoria Bond wrote the soprano role in her new opera GULLIVER’S TRAVELS for Miss Walker, which was premiered in May 1995. Also recognizing the unique gifts of this special artist, Alan Stone mounted LAKME for her (Chicago Opera Theatre), and she won the hearts of critics and audience alike.

Recommended by Matthew Epstein to Garth Drabinsky (Tony award winning producer/president of Live Entertainment Inc.), Miss Walker sang alternately the roles of Carlotta/Madame Firmin in the Canadian National Tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Catching the critic Michael Eisenstadt’s eye (Vancouver), he wrote an article about her wherein he states: “…when you see the way her Carlotta has developed through the run, you realize she will indeed eventually carve herself a niche in Musical Theatre. She does her own Carlotta and she does it amazingly well.”

Her other Musical Theatre credits include: Marsinah in Kismet; Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and Cunegonde in Candide. She sang and danced as Ninette in L’amour Des Trois Oranges and as Ariel in the premiere of Lee Hoiby’s The Tempest. Operetta Roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus (New York City) and Kathie in The Student Prince (Baltimore).

The National Endowment of the Arts co-funded an unusual short film entitled “Look at Me”. The project was created especially for her, and she plays the leading role. She had appeared as a young opera star on the soap opera “Another World”, and has done various television appearances ranging from documentaries to commercials.

Miss Walker performed a trio concert – “Broadway Classics” at Carnegie Hall with Cris Groenendaal and Timothy Nolen. Having gained recognition as a “cross-over” artist, her show A Broadway Classics in Concerts@ is in continual demand and has been presented for various concert presenters/organizations throughout the United States, in Canada, including Hawaii.

In September 1998, she sang as guest Artist with the award winning male choir AVocal Majority@, and performs the music of Orrin Hatch and Janice Kapp Perry . Her voice is featured on the film AThe Ghost of Dickens Past@, with music by Kurt Bestor, which released for Christmas 1998.

Miss Walker discography includes: Broadway Classics, with David Glen Hatch, pianist, an inspirational/sacred collection – You=ll Never Walk Alone, with the Mormon Symphony and Youth Chorus and Classic Lullaby with pianist Kenneth Plain. A new CD, Timeless Classics featuring the most popular songs of the last century is scheduled for release later in 2008.

Miss Walker is much in demand as a voice teacher and has conducted vocal Masterclasses at Universities, with NATS and other organizations throughout the United States. She has also performs AThe Singer and the Song@ under the direction of ARTS, Inc, for young audiences.

In January 2000, Utah Governor Michael Leavitt presented Diana Walker with The Utah Governor’s Mansion Artist Award. Diana’s ABroadway Classics in Concert@ and “Top Flight –Soul Soaring Songs” have been on the Utah Arts Council Performing Arts Tour for most seasons since 2001, and have been performed in St George, Cedar City, Monticello, Blanding, Salt Lake City, etc.

Known for her breath control and capacity, the ease and beauty of tone, her agility and finesse, and the clarity of her diction, she is a teacher of teachers and of colleagues, helping others refine their singing technique in order to again bring joy to their singing.

Diana, the adoring mother of one son and five step-children, is married to Charles M. Neve Jr.. (Charles and Diana)! She is also an advanced stage breast cancer survivor. Losing her mother to pancreatic cancer while fighting the disease herself, she is dedicated to helping others in their fight against cancer, through her music, bringing hope in direct and meaningful ways.