Diane grew up in Suffolk and first began learning the recorder at the age of 4 after a doctor recommended learning a wind instrument to assist with a severe asthma diagnosis. Having performed her first recital at the age of 8 (Bach Partita for recorder, cello and harpsichord!) she realised that playing music was something that she wanted to do for the foreseeable future. With thanks to some truly inspiring teachers, Diane began to learn the clarinet and later the saxophone, piano, flute and voice.
During her time at Leeds University and University of North Texas Diane won several competitions and scholarships while directing the university big band and playing principle clarinet with a variety of Orchestras. She studied a healthy mixture of classical and jazz, clarinet and saxophone, with the likes of Dr. James Gillespie, Jay Saunders, John Murphy, Brad Leali and Daryl Coad. During her final year at Leeds Diane performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with Leeds Chamber Orchestra, won the University Chamber music competition with the Victoria Saxophone Quartet, and performed several high profile recitals with Benjamin Frith as part of the Leeds International Concert Series. She graduated in 2011 with a BMus 1st class(hons).
Diane began her masters at Royal Northern College of Music in September 2011 (MMus distinction) with thanks to the Martyn Edwards Jazz Scholarship. She performed with the RNCM Concert Orchestra (principal), Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Collective, Bigband and New Music Ensemble as well as performing in the prestigious RNCM Chamber Music Festival. Under the tutelage of Nicholas Cox (RLPO, Ensemble 10:10), Linda Merrick (international soloist), Colin Pownell (BBC Philharmonic), Chris Swann (RLPO, Zephyr Winds), Steve Berry (Loose Tubes) and Mike Hall (head of jazz studies RNCM) Diane has become equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry her into her professional career as a versatile woodwind specialist.
Diane currently resides in Clitheroe and travels the breadth of the country and beyond performing with bands ranging from Bhangra to 1920s Vintage Swing! She has performed in a variety of venues from Glastonbury Festival to Wigmore Hall but also enjoys her lecturing commitments at Salford University and is an advocate of Women in Music and Academia as well as Youth Music.