Singing Teacher, Professional Singer and Recording Artist, Diana Drew, BFA
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Diana Drew, BFA Mus Honours
Diana Drew first stepped out on stage singing and playing the guitar at age seven. She was trained vocally by her father, a professional opera singer with the New York City Centre Opera Company, professional singer 'On Broadway' and gold medalist at Julliard School of Music.
At eleven years of age, three record companies were knocking on her door, but were declined in favour of a ‘normal’ childhood. Diana Drew earned an Honours degree in music performance at York University. She has sung professionally for many years at many venues including the Skydome, Maple Leaf Gardens, CNE, hotels, with special performances with the York Symphony Orchestra, for the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto Blue Jays to name a few.
Diana Drew earned an honours degree in music performance at York University. She has sung professionally for many years at many venues including the Skydome, Maple Leaf Gardens, CNE, hotels, with special performances with the York Symphony Orchestra, for the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto Blue Jays to name a few.
She has worked professionally on television, radio, video, film and musical theatre. Diana has formal training in voice, acting and five instruments. She has had the great privilege to sing for the likes of Oscar Peterson, Anne Murray, Russell Malone, Lorne Lofsky, Norman Amadio, Eric Traugott, and Eric Schultz to name a few in the music industry.
One special thing that makes Diana unique is her story regarding her survival of two cancers, one of which was in her throat. Her doctor had told her in 2000 that she may never be able to sing again. With perseverance and patience, she miraculously relearned how to sing around her scars from the surgeries. Her voice is a testimony to determination, willpower and strength of spirit. Within the first few notes I think you'll agree that Diana sings like few others.
These are short excerpts from Diana's 'Diana Who' CD album. Enjoy.
Even though Diana sings jazz in this CD, she has performed and teaches
ALL TYPES OF MUSIC
in the onlines singing lessons
because the breath control and
vocal muscular functioning
are the same.
“The voice is powerful, growly or sweeping, husky with hickory smoke…she holds the last note, holds it forever, leaving the sax and drums in her dust.” writes Mike Strobel of the Toronto SUN about Diana Drew's CD
Diana Drew stands out ... she's got one of those smokey, honey-dipped voices that rolls over you like a wave. Her sultry voice and relaxed demeanour made her a spellbinding choice to perform the classics. Diana has a star quality that audience members clearly appreciated." writes Tracey Tong of the Recorder and Times
"Whoa Canada! Check her out! Meet the other lovely blonde Canadian Jazz Singer named Diana! ...perfectly easy-listening jazz thanks to Diana's deep, warm delivery... pretty and inspiring! writes Jonaco, CD Baby Reviews, Boston"
“It’s Diana Drew ’s rich voice that makes her exceptional” writes Doug Ibbotson of the Toronto Star.
writes Doug Ibbotson of the Toronto Star
“She’s recorded a jazz album after recovering from cancer surgeries…been played on Jazz FM 91.1” writes Erika Heffernan of the Economist and Sun regarding Diana Drew's re-entry into the music business.
“I think the CD is wonderful! Her voice is effortless, delivered with smooth simplicity... just out of this world!” Colin Smith live on CKLN 88.1 regarding Diana Drew's vocal stylings.
“A singer in Toronto — Diana Drew. Her album is called ‘Diana Who’ … great stuff!” Terry McElligott live on Jazz FM 91.1 on Diana Drew's new CD
"Diana's voice is absolutely fabulous!" Liane Kotler, producer of Person to Person on Studio 2, TVO
LISTEN FOR DIANA DREW’S CD ON THE FOLLOWING RADIO STATIONS AND YOU CAN CALL IN TO REQUEST YOUR FAVOURITE SONG FROM HER CD IF YOU LIKE
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Toronto, Ontario Easy Listening Radio www.am740.ca Phone: 416-544-0740 or 1-866-740- 4740
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Swisssh Radio' via the Internet www.swisssh.ca with host Rob Reid
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88.1-FM Jazz CKLN Toronto, Ontario
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with Colin Smith and his show "One Flight Up" Tuesdays at 7am Phone: 416-595-1655 or 416-979-525
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Jazz Fm 91. 1 CJRT Toronto, Ontario - Email: info@jazz.fm or Phone: 416-595-0404
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104.9 JRFM Radio Toronto, Ontario , Easy Listening Phone: 613-345-166
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CHRY 105.5 MHz North York, Ontario
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CILU 102.7 FM Thunder Bay, Ontario
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CIUT 89.5 MHz Toronto, Ontario
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CJMQ 88.9 MHz Lennoxville, Quebec
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CJSR 88.5 MHz Edmonton, Alberta
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CKMS 100.3 MHz Waterloo, Ontario
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CKLU 96.7 MHz Sudbury, Ontario
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CKUW 95.9 MHz Winnipeg, Manitoba
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CKXU 88.3 MHz Lethbridge, Alberta
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Cape Radio Sydney, Nova Scotia
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CFBU 103.7 MHz St. Catherines, Ontario
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CFBX 92.5 FM Kamloops, British Columbia
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CFCR 90.5 MHz Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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CFMU 93.3 MHz Hamilton, Ontario
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CFRC 101.9 Kingston, Ontario
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CFUR 88.7 MHz Prince George, British Columbia
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CFXU 92.5 MHz Antigonish, Nova Scotia
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CHLY 101.7 MHz Nanaimo, British Columbia
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CHMA 106.9 MHz Sackville, New Brunswick
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CJUM 101.5 MHz Winnipeg, Manitoba
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CKDU 88.1 FM Halifax, Nova Scotia
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CFUV 101.9 FM Victoria, British Columbia
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CHSR 97.9FM Fredericton, New Brunswick
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CKUA 94.9 FM Edmonton, Alberta
PAST PERFORMANCES
Diana Drew has entertained professionally for audiences in numerous venues throughout the years: singing and accompanying herself on piano or guitar, doing special guest appearances as well as fronting various bands:
Sky Dome
Maple Leaf Gardens
Sheraton Parkway
Sheridan
Inn on the Park
Markham Board of Trade
Devonsely Place
Scarborough Town Centre
Chick 'n Deli
Spring Lakes Golf Club
Brockvile Arts Theatre
Royal York Hotel
Markham Theatre
Nag's Head North
Carpenter's Arms
Inside Line
Victoria and Albert
Sergeant Pepper's
Hilton Suites Hotel
Markham Fair
The Crystal Palace
Diabetes Association
Canadian Cancer Society Relay
Lula Lounge, etc.
York Symphony Orchestra
Markham Fair
Hilton Suites Hotel and Spa
Markham Jazz Festival
Four Seasons Sheridan Hotel
Markham Museum
Care Unlimited Volunteer Gala
CNIB Benefit Concert
Scarborough Civic Centre
Markham Board of Trade
Dave Tsubouchi Campaign
Ramada Renaissance
Sportsway Inn
Bobby Rubinos Restaurants
Duke of the Sea Tavern
Heritage Inn
York Downs Golf Club
L'Hotel
Markham Heritage Festivals
Thousand Islands Jazz Festival
Sutton Place
Nashville Palace
TRAINING
TRAINING
Singing: Honours B.F.A. Music Degree from York University
Diana was trained by her father (a professional opera singer who toured with the New York City Centre Opera Company, performed on Broadway, a Gold Medalist at Julliard School of Music in New York) since the tender young age of 6 years. Although classically trained, Diana can sing many different styles of music. She is trained in the true 'Bel Canto' technique of singing which has a natural quality and character to the voice. The emphasis is on effortless vocal power as well as 'breath control'.
INSTRUMENTS
Guitar: studied classical, flamenco, folk and jazz privately with Andy Krehm, Bob Neveu, John Perrone, etc.
Piano: studied improvisation privately with Frank Falco, Casey Sokol; RCM Gr. 8 achievement, etc.
Banjo, Violin, Mandolin, Accordion: Diana studied banjo with Bob Neveu, violin with Rupert Holmes. Mandolin and accordion are self-taught.
Acting: studied with John Milton Branton.
Dance: studied with Yves Cousineau, Margo Bibby and Alice Kwong.
Music Theory: Theory, Rudiments, History, Harmony, Counterpoint, the Delamonte Method, etc.
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
Performing: Performing in numerous venues on stage since 1968 and professionally since 1980. [List of some performances in 'Past Performances' in a section above.]
Recording: Eastern Sound, Sounds Interchange, Imagine Sound, "This Is It" Studio, Ken Morley Sound, Kensington Sound, Wellesley Sound, Diana Drew Recording Studio, Acrobat Music Inc., Manta Sound, etc.
Video: VTR (recorded live at Eastern Sound), Chamberlain Productions, Ottaway Productions, Household Finance Commercial and Promotional Productions
Film: Millenium, Sing, Stigmata.
Television: CHCH-TV 11, The Nashville Network, Rogers, CTV with Patrick Whitely Productions, Global, Classicom, TSN, City-TV, On-Tidy Endings Series, etc., ACTRA member.
Radio: CFGM (recorded live at the Heritage Inn), CHRY Radio York, CKLN 88.1(with Colin Smith), 740AM (Barry Morden), CFJR 104.9 FM (Bruce Wylie), as well as approximately 26 other radio stations across Canada...
Symphonies: Special Guest Vocalist with York Symphony Orchestra with conductor Roberto De Clara
Music Theatre: "Lil' Abner" (Lead Role), "Comin' 'Round the Mountain" (Lead Role), All About Eve (Lead Role)...
Choir: York University Choir, Ionview Choir, WCCI choir
Dance: Canada's Wonderland: showgirl, singer/dancer, Royal York Hotel: choreography, back-up dancing in variety shows...
Special Skills: Singing Teacher since 1988; Piano and Guitar Teacher; two Public Speaking Awards; Musicals -Director, Illustrator and Cartoonist; Registered Lifeguard; 12+ levels of Figure Skating; speaks English, German and French; Business Affairs Councilor and Director of Social and Cultural Affairs for York University.
Human and Child Development Training: completed four years at Landmark Education including the 'Leadership' program in 'How to be a Leader in your Life'; graduate of the Hoffman Process; five years of 'Free to Be You' training; seven years of behavior psychology training with renowned Dr. Edward Meade.
Diana singing at the Air Canada Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays and she is pictured on the large Jumbotron.
Diana singing at Maple Leaf Gardens for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Diana singing at the Air Canada Centre (ormerly SkyDome for the
Toronto Argonauts football game
Diana singing at the Air Canada Centre for the Toronto Raptors
Diana at the VIP after-show party with the late famous jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson
Diana with CITY-TV's television personality, John Gallagher at the Toronto Raptor's game
Diana in an interview at AM740 with Radio Personality, Barry Morden
Diana backstage with band members at the Thousand Island Jazz Concert.
[From left to right] David Field (Bass), Laurie Bower (Trombone), Luis Mario Ochoa (Guitar), Diana Drew (Vocalist), The Late Ian Bargh (Piano) and Don Vickery (Drums)
Diana's name up on the Marquee at the Brockville Arts Centre Jazz
The promotional ad for Diana's performance at Lula Lounge with her Jazzamatazz band for a charity event
Diana with band members at the Markham Jazz Festival (including John Johnson on saxophone on the right).