BIOGRAPHY

Diana received her degrees in piano from the University of Houston and the University of Texas where she studied with Albert Hirsh, Dalies Frantz and Leonard Shure. In addition, she studied at the Aspen Music School with Rosina Lhevinne and has participated in master classes with Gina Bachauer and Darius Milhaud. She is the winner of the Houston Symphony Young Artist Competition, the Phi Beta National Young Artist Award and several other competitions. Additionally, she toured Europe as a result of winning the first KRBE FM radio station Young Artist Competition held in Texas. Performances have included the Kennedy Center, the Phillips Collection, the National Gallery of Art, Sala Chopin and Sala Carlos Chavez (Mexico City). As soloist with the Houston Symphony conducted by Leopold Stokowski, she has also collaborated with such artists as Jean-Pierre Rampal and Andre Navarra and with members of the Haydn String Quartet. A member of The Guarneri Duo, she has presented duo recitals and master classes throughout the United States, Mexico, Taiwan, China (Shanghai and Chengdu), The Netherlands, Belgium and represented the United States at the 1996 International Cello/Piano Duo Musical Cycle as part of the Bellas Artes Concert Series in Mexico City. As a chamber musician, she has appeared at the Lancaster (OH) and Chapel Hill (NC) Chamber Music Festivals, National String Workshop (University of WI/Madison) and the Chautauqua Institute (NY). She represented the State of Ohio as a member of The Guarneri Duo at the Millennium Stage State Days Concert Series both at Kennedy Center and on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. She is a member of the piano faculty at Bowling Green State University (OH) and was formerly on the faculties of Southwest Texas State University, Colorado College and Duke University.

“Besides being husband and wife in real life, their mutual and total release in playing is most remarkable. Their tender expression made for a duo of great quality…(Chopin Sonata)"
El Heraldo de Mexico

“…tone was consistently smooth and unforced…the grand tunes were artfully drawn…genteel approach generally emerged cogent and poised.”
The Houston Post

“The Martinu Variations were played with relish and gusto. A devilish piece to play, the Smiths delivered it up audaciously, crisply and accurately. It was a real tour de force and a lark to boot."
The Toledo Blade (Ohio)

“Cellist Alan Smith plays with a broad tone that is just fine for this music. Diana Smith plays as the equal partner, which is the pianist’s real role here.”
The Washington Post (DC)

“Each of these pieces had a very high level of interpretation, both in technique and in musicology. The high quality of music was shown in their respect for each composer. In the Beethoven Sonata, there was an extreme mature interpretation and a clear concept of the work. The “Piece in the Form of Habanera” transmitted Ravel’s warmth and feeling of sensuality. In the most delightful variations by Martinu, they captured the Slavic spirit of the Czech composer.”
El Heraldo de Mexico