Dianne - Piano, Voice
Dianne, hailing from a highly musical local family, boasts connections to notable figures like Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown’s original drummer), Freda Payne, Ramona Brooks, and Ike Stubblefield, a legendary jazz organist and a distant cousin.
Her musical journey includes earning a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Toledo and embarking on a career as a music educator for over forty years. Her journey began in 1982 as the choral director at Start H.S.
In 2013, Dianne showcased her talents in the musical "Mahalia" at the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, Minnesota, playing the roles of Aunt Duke and Mildred Falls, Mahalia Jackson's pianist. She also gained recognition for her original song and dance, "Do the Lite Rail Shuffle," featured on TPT live broadcast of TV Takeover.
Dianne's contributions extend to writing the theme song for Sister Spokesman, regularly played on KMOJ in Minneapolis for a monthly Women Empowerment Event. She showcased her piano skills in the orchestra pit for the musical "Shrek" in the Spring of 2017.
From 2002-2018, Dianne collaborated with Chason, a Russian Musical Band, performing Russian Folk Songs, Ukrainian Tunes, and jazz standards at various events. Simultaneously, she was part of Jeff Cryer's Tribute to Motown from 2003-2018, embodying Diana Ross and the Supremes in venues across Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Her group reached the semi-finals of the Minnesota State Fair Talent Show.
In 2022, Dianne joined the Toledo Opera Chorus, and in May 2023, she auditioned for the Detroit Opera Chorus. Adding to her accomplishments, she formed a quartet, Four 1 Nina, in the Spring of '23. Dianne is a regular vocalist at the 2nd Sunday Jazz Jam in Toledo, Ohio.
Her musical journey includes earning a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Toledo and embarking on a career as a music educator for over forty years. Her journey began in 1982 as the choral director at Start H.S.
In 2013, Dianne showcased her talents in the musical "Mahalia" at the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, Minnesota, playing the roles of Aunt Duke and Mildred Falls, Mahalia Jackson's pianist. She also gained recognition for her original song and dance, "Do the Lite Rail Shuffle," featured on TPT live broadcast of TV Takeover.
Dianne's contributions extend to writing the theme song for Sister Spokesman, regularly played on KMOJ in Minneapolis for a monthly Women Empowerment Event. She showcased her piano skills in the orchestra pit for the musical "Shrek" in the Spring of 2017.
From 2002-2018, Dianne collaborated with Chason, a Russian Musical Band, performing Russian Folk Songs, Ukrainian Tunes, and jazz standards at various events. Simultaneously, she was part of Jeff Cryer's Tribute to Motown from 2003-2018, embodying Diana Ross and the Supremes in venues across Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Her group reached the semi-finals of the Minnesota State Fair Talent Show.
In 2022, Dianne joined the Toledo Opera Chorus, and in May 2023, she auditioned for the Detroit Opera Chorus. Adding to her accomplishments, she formed a quartet, Four 1 Nina, in the Spring of '23. Dianne is a regular vocalist at the 2nd Sunday Jazz Jam in Toledo, Ohio.
