Biography

Diana Tayler is a third-generation Ukrainian-Canadian musical artist based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan / ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, Alberta). Diana is an emerging composer, performer (harp, voice), and musical educator. She received a Master of Arts degree in Slavic linguistics from the University of Alberta in 2004, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Alberta in 2023. Diana writes music for solo instruments, dance, choir, and chamber ensembles. Recent projects include a mentorship with erψn temp3st (Edmonton Arts Council Connections and Exchanges program through New Music Edmonton) to create a multidisciplinary work for prepare and amplified harp, stop motion animation and fiber art (“Spinning Stardust”, 2024), commissions for harp by Tasha Orysiuk from the Shumka School of Dance (“The Enchanted Harp”, 2024; “Flicker”, 2025), a creative collaboration with Chenoa Anderson, Heather Hindman, and Dr. Emilie LeBel to create a collection of solo flute music for Chenoa Anderson (Canada Council for the Arts) (“Unspun”, 2024), and a commission for choir by Dr. Melanie Turgeon’s ensemble Kappella Kyrie Slavic Chamber Choir (“Воскресіння” / “Voskresinja”, 2023). Diana’s artistic endeavours have been supported by the Edmonton Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She is the recipient of multiple fellowships and scholarships, and is dedicated to a lifelong pursuit of learning. Diana is co-founder of Sound Sculpting, a composition workshop program that explores the creation of contemporary music and sound art through non-traditional notation. Diana serves on New Music Edmonton’s Board of Directors as Treasurer, and sat on the Board of Directors for the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers from 2022-2024 (Vice Chair, Chair).