Diana McGrory is pursuing a B.S. in bioengineering at UCLA. She is also studying flute performance at the UCLA Flute Studio, under Denis and Erin Bouriakov. Denis is the Principal Flute in the Los Angeles Philharmonic and one of the preeminent orchestral flutists in the world, and Erin is an internationally recognized flute soloist.
Diana began playing flute at age 6 and has studied privately for 13 years, including 8 years with Jill Heinke, a professional flutist and alumna of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Royal College of Music. Diana has performed in masterclasses with Jill Felber, Christina Jennings, Amy Porter, and Alexa Still, and worked privately with Susan Milan, Jim Walker, and Carol Wincenc. Diana has also won awards in local and state competitions as a soloist and with chamber groups. Additionally, Diana has collaborated on various arrangements and compositions, including an original commissioned piece for flute and symphonic band by composer Vince Oliver.
Diana has played flute and piccolo in symphonies for 9 years. She was Principal Flute for 4 years, and previously played Piccolo, in the California Youth Symphony (CYS) Senior Orchestra under Music Director Leo Eylar. Previously, she was Principal Flute and Piccolo in the CYS Associate Orchestra, and played in the El Camino (now Golden State) Youth Symphony. Diana performed Borne's Carmen Fantasy and the Gordeli Concerto with the CYS Senior Orchestra and has been featured in many symphonic pieces with CYS. Diana has also been active in other CYS leadership roles, including being appointed President of the Senior Orchestra Musicians Council, and catalyzing a record-breaking fundraising campaign for the organization.
In addition to playing flute, Diana has played alto saxophone for 7 years. She has played lead alto saxophone in her middle school and high school jazz bands and combos, and has won solo awards in several regional jazz festivals. Diana also plays clarinet and piano, and has participated in diverse vocal projects.
Diana also loves to teach music and has been teaching flute for 8 years. She taught the flute class at her middle school for 4 years , and currently maintains an active studio of flute and saxophone students (for more information click here). Diana also co-founded the Menlo Music Mentors program, in which middle school students receive instruction and mentoring from high school students. As the program’s co-director, Diana taught group sessions for over 50 students and mentored the other instructors in the program.
Diana also shares her love of music through a wide variety of community performances. She performs regularly at her church as a soloist and with an ensemble, and at other events such as senior home recitals, non-profit fundraisers, and educational programs. Diana particularly enjoys performing at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Menlo Park Veterans Affairs campus, where she and her father have been the primary musicians for several years.
Diana is an active member of her college community and has a strong academic record. She was Valedictorian in her high school class while pursuing a rigorous curriculum of Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes, and served as a Commencement speaker. Diana is involved in her high school Leadership program, in which she mentored younger students and advocated for issues such as mental health awareness and equity across diverse student groups. She was also active in other performing arts, including being a member and officer of her high school dance team and a cast member in musical theater productions.
For a complete list of flute repertoire, click here. For complete resume and academic information, contact Diana.