Biography
Diane Thueson Reich, soprano, is a Professor of Voice, and Director of the School of Music at Brigham Young University. She has previously taught and been the Director of Opera at Central Washington University. She has earned doctoral and master’s degrees from Indiana University. At home in the concert hall or opera stage, she has appeared in major operatic roles such as Marguerite in Faust, Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress, the title role in Strauss’ Arabella, Nanetta in Falstaff, Rosina in The Ghosts of Versailles, Mimì in La Bohème, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Valenncienne in The Merry Widow, and Antonia in The Tales of Hoffman. Dr. Reich has performed with professional opera and theater companies, including the Utah Festival Opera Company, Opera West, Indiana University Opera Theater, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City, and River City Players. She created the role of Rosamond in the world premiere of Michael Valenti’s opera, Beau Nash, performed with Portland Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Reich has been a guest artist with Icicle Creek Music Festival, Third Angle Ensemble in Portland, OR; and also appeared with the Yakima and Walla Walla Symphonies, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Utah Chamber Orchestra, Indiana University Philharmonic, and Indiana State and Utah State University orchestras, as well as soloing in the northwest premiere of George Crumb’s Star Child in Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. She has performed as a featured soloist with Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Company in Hanoi, a guest soloist with the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic in Russia, sung several concerts throughout Vietnam and China, and been a featured guest recitalist and master teacher in Pescara, Italy.
A multiple Metropolitan Opera Audition winner in both the Utah and Indiana Districts, Dr. Reich also won first place in the Vera Scammon International S.O.S. Voice Competition, and was a finalist with The American Prize in Vocal Performance—Friedrich and Virginia Schorr Memorial Awards, in both the art song and opera/operetta divisions. She has been the recipient of numerous scholarship and academic awards as well. Dr. Reich’s research endeavors have led her to be a leading authority on the vocal music of contemporary composer Henry Mollicone. Dr. Reich’s students have gone on to prestigious graduate programs with Indiana University, University of Houston, Arizona State University and University of Missouri-Kansas City. Students have also been accepted to participate in training programs throughout the world.
Education:
- DM, Voice, Indiana University School of Music, 2003
- MM, Vocal Performance, Indiana University School of Music, 1997
- BM/BME, Vocal Performance, Music Education, Utah State University, 1994