about

Diana's Story                                                           

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 Co. 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 (B.F.A.) in music 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.

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                                     Ramada Renaissance

Sheridan                                                    Sutton Place

Inn on the Park                                           Nashville Palace

Markham Board of Trade                         Markham Festivals

Devonsely Place                                        L'Hotel

Scarborough Town Centre                       Markham Fair

Chick 'n Deli                                               York Downs Golf Club

Spring Lakes Golf Club                            Heritage Inn

Nag's Head North                                      Duke of the Sea

Carpenter's Arms                                      Bobby Rubinos

Inside Line                                                  Sportsway Inn

Victoria and Albert                                     Dave Tsubouchi Campaign Events

Sergeant Pepper's                                     North York Symphony

Hilton Suites Hotel                                      Markham Board of Trade

Markham Fair                                             Scarborough Civic Centre

The Crystal Palace                                    CNIB Benefit Concert

Diabetes Association                                Care Unlimited Volunteer Gala

Canadian Cancer Society Relay              Markham Museum

Markham Theatre                                       Four Seasons  Sheridan Hotel

Brockville Arts Theatre                              Markham Jazz Festival

Thousand Islands Jazz Festival                Hilton Suites Hotel and Spa  

Royal York Hotel

etc.

 Training & Experience             

TRAINING

Singing:

Honours B.F.A. Music Degree 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, studied 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.

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's Dance Studio.

Music Theory:

Theory, Rudiments, History, Harmony, Counterpoint, the Delamonte Method, etc.

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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 approxiametly 26 other radio

stations across Canada...

Symphonies:

Special Guest Vocalist with York Symphony Orchestra

Music Theatre:

"Lil' Abner" (Lead Role), "Comin' 'Round the Mountain" (Lead Role)...

Choir:

York University 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;

speak English, German and French;Introduction Leader in Landmark Education; Business Affairs Councilor and Director of Social and Cultural Affairs for York University.

Thank yous                                    

• "I would especially like to acknowledge my husband Don Drew for his love

           and support. He is the inventor and mastermind of the 'Care Unlimited Charity Program' ,    

          'Innoventation', the game 'Bull Roar' and 'Jocosity Incorporated'.

• I would like to acknowledge my two children whom I love with all my heart.

• I would like to thank Tara Vanessa Mummery for her intuitive guidance through the ups and downs of creating the music. She is a guardian angel and inspiration.

• I would like to thank Dr. Edward Meade for his professional psychological advice, consistent support and his wonderful wife Joyce Meade for being fortunate to have the joy of her aquaintance.

Joyce Meade and Dr. Edward Meade

• I would  like to acknowledge Wellsprings for being the 'ray of sunshine'

          during my chemo treatments  and the 'healing process'.

• I would like to shower Jeff Kirby with appreciation for being a wonderful  healer, body therapist and for teaching me to love myself more.
• I would like to thank my parents Bill and Ann Nahr for giving me life and a love of music.

• I would like to thank my father-in-law and mother-in-law Alan and Joan

          Drew for being the best jazz fans on the planet!

• I would like to thank my brother and his wife, William and Sarah Nahr,

           owners of Chamberlain Productions, a film and video company, for their

           support and kindness.

• I would like to thank my friends Clinton Siple, Patricia Duffy, Lori Douglas,

         Michele Keens, Linda Curley, Evelyne Altcheh, Dr. Jeff Seidman,

          Catherine Allison, Landmark Education and the gang at Sergeant Peppers

          for putting the fun in music and my life.

• I would like to express my gratitude for those whose legacy and memory live

          on and continue to inspire me: Terry Fox, Eva Cassidy, Julia Nahr, Matthew Nahr,     

          Don Boothe, Susan O'Grady, and  Anna Marie Drew.

• I would like to thank Colin Smith, Barry Morden and Rob Reid for promoting my jazz

          music with such vigour .

• I would like to thank  Bern and Maggie Gorecki, all my friends at Well

        Springs, Marion Kenny, Grace Anglican Church and   Willow for

          their inspiration and support .

• I would like to thank Dr. Margaret Bugdahn, Dr. Richard Rival, Dr. Mary

        Tweedale, Dr. Nancy Down, and the many nurses who helped me along

          the healing pathway.

• I would like to thank the volunteers along my healing journey who

          have given me the inspiration to give to others .

         I can now "pass it forward".

                                                               Love, Diana

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