Praise for DM Flute Studio
“Investing in three terms at Diana's studio made a real difference in achieving my goals. The results truly show the value of her teaching.”
Jacob Cruz
Carnegie Mellon University
Tanglewood Music Center Fellow
“I’m incredibly thankful for DM Flute Studio! It helped me get comfortable with recording myself well before college pre-screenings and introduced me to an amazing virtual musical community I never would have found locally.”
Joelle Kim
Yale University
“DM Flute Studio has been so crucial to my success and development post-graduation. The
accountability, supportive community, and instruction have been exceptional all three terms I
have participated. If I could stay forever, I would!!”
Sierra Schmeltzer
Boise Philharmonic
“Over the course of four terms, I went through the process of auditioning for music school and got into many of my top choices with scholarship. The DM Flute Studio is so valuable.”
Dennis Papazyan
USC- Thornton School of Music
“I didn’t know that the studio would be such a life changing experience for me.”
Dianne Seo
Acting Piccolo/3rd Flute, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
“Diana was so wonderful at helping me develop a reliable system for preparing for orchestral auditions. She is so enthusiastic and caring about leading her students to success.”
Graeme Sugden
Indiana University
National Repertory Orchestra
“Diana has a truly unique teaching style that is kind, direct, and open. Due to her mentorship, I’ve been able to build the confidence and dedication needed to perform and teach in the professional field.”
Aimee Toner
Flute Faculty
University of Connecticut
Rome Ababat: University of North Texas (MMus), 2024
Courtney Badura: CU Boulder (BMus)
Jeongwon Bae: University of Southern California (MMus)
Rose Bishop: Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, acting second flute (2023-2024)
Tianhui Bu: University of Miami, Frost School of Music (BMus)
Jocelyn Crosby: National Flute Association Alto Flute Competition 3rd prize winner, 2022
Jacob Cruz: Tanglewood Music Center Flute Fellow (2024), Carnegie Mellon University (MMus 2024), Des Moines Metro Opera Principal Flute (finalist)
Chloe Descher: New Mexico Philharmonic, Runner Up and San Jose Symphony, Finalist
Kyle Dudley: Northwestern University (MMus), full scholarship
Nikka Gershman-Pepper: W.m. S. Haynes Young Artist, Juilliard School Konner Fellow, YoungArts National Winner with distinction, Colburn Music Academy, 1st prize winner San Francisco Flute Society Competition Junior Division, winner Whittier Symphony Concerto Competition (youngest winner in history of competition, 12 years old)
Jeffrey Harley: W.m. S. Haynes Young Artist, Carnegie Mellon University (MMus), 2nd prize winner San Francisco Flute Society Competition
Emily Harrington: University of Southern California (MMus)
Grace Helmke: Spoleto Festival Orchestra USA (2024), Vista Philharmonic Orchestra (substitute)
Michelle Huang: University of Southern California (MMus), UCLA AllStar concerto competition winner, Pasadena Showcase Competition finalist
Kristen Islay: Peabody Conservatory (BMus)
Devan Jaquez: Principal Flute-Knoxville Symphony, Colburn Conservatory (MMus), UCLA AllStar concerto competition winner, 2nd flute/piccolo American Youth Symphony
Abby Katje: Northwestern University (MMus)
Anna Kevelson: Grand Rapids Symphony Principal Flute audition (finalist, 2024), Miami City Ballet substitute, Jacksonville Symphony substitute
Joelle Kim: First prize winner in the American Protégé international concerto competition, Yale University, Colburn Sinfonietta, first prize in the San Diego Flute Guild Youth Artist Competitions, Boston University Tanglewood Institute Flute Workshop
Elizabeth LaCoste: UCLA (MMus), Principal Flute-American Youth Symphony
Cecily Lan: University of Southern California (MMus)
Michelle Liu: Michigan University, New England Conservatory, Idyllwild Arts Academy
Vanessa Lopez: Carnegie Mellon University (MMus), UCLA AllStar Concerto Competition winner, 2019 Fischoff Competition semi-finalist
Megan McCafferty: Manhattan School of Music (MMus)
Emma Neiman: Bard College, Idyllwild Arts Academy
Dennis Papazyan: University of Southern California (BMus)
Katie Riley: Lynn Conservatory (MMus), full scholarship
Elvin Schlanger: W.m. S. Haynes Young Artist, Las Vegas Philharmonic 3rd flute/piccolo, Yale University (MMus), full scholarship, Colburn Conservatory (Artist Diploma), full scholarship, 2nd prize winner of the National Flute Association Young Artist competition (2023)
Sierra Schmeltzer: Bozeman Symphony principal flute (trial 2024-2025), Festival of Winds (2024), National Flute Association Young Artist Competition quarterfinalist (2024), Symphony San Jose (finalist), First prize winner in the San Diego Flute Guild Young Artist Competition
Dianne Seo: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra piccolo/3rd flute and 2nd flute (acting), Tanglewood Music Center Flute Fellow, Colburn Conservatory (MMus), full scholarship, Cape Cod Symphony Principal Flute audition winner (2023)
Aimee Toner: W.m. S. Haynes Young Artist
Cara Xu: NYO2 fellow (2023 and 2024), National Flute Association High School Soloist Competition quarterfinalist (2024), YoungArts Award Winner (2024) and Santa Monica Flute Competition first prize winner (2023)
William Yeh: Festival of Winds (2024), Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Associate Principal Runner-Up, Rice University (MMus), Symphony San Jose (finalist), National Flute Association Young Artist Competition (alternate, 2024)
Graduates of DM Flute Studio (2021-2024) received offers from all of these institutions and with major scholarships.