Diane Thornton has always experienced music as an expression/celebration of life itself. From her early childhood, the desire to sing and dance was a reaction to whatever surrounded her, be it the sound of a bird, the breeze from the ocean, the rhythms in a marching band, or the expression on someone's face. As she grew older, she progressively connected her desire to story telling and acting. Then came the realization that there were so many exciting elements that contribute to the story telling through music: world history, cultures, languages, chord progressions used by composers to create "color," the process of making vocal sounds and visual communication being examples.
While in high school and through her undergraduate years in college as a vocal performance/opera major, there were family tragedies which caused great hardship in many ways, including that of inhibiting the pursuit of music as a career. It was then she found out how powerful "reaching back and pulling forward" can be, because she was the recipient of aid from people who were not family or close friends, who believed in her gifting and who wanted to help. Because of them, she was able to achieve in the field of music. She never forgot that; and, to this day, she continues to seek ways to do the same with others, using vocal music as her main venue through which to pull others forward.
Diane also continues to seek ways to share what she has learned from years of inquiring, listening, analyzing, performing, and mentoring as a vocal musician and as a human being. For her, sharing can be through college or private teaching, through non-profit organizations, or through individual initiatives. While doing this, she hopes to encourage all to grow in respect and concern for others and to find joy in the act of thinking through self expression.
