Diana Cusano

Diana has loved the piano since age five. It all began with an electric keyboard that was quickly replaced with a Yamaha upright. Within a year or two of beginning her studies, it was discovered that she had perfect pitch. Serious studies commenced up through high school, with ample competition wins and performances, including a televised hour-long solo piano recital for the Young Steinway Concert Series and a PianoArts competition win which included a concerto performance with orchestra. These experiences were exhilarating for Diana, but she also loved the sciences. So she studied at the University of Chicago (Chemistry, B.S.) and Yale School of Public Health (Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, M.P.H.) and followed this up with a decade-long career at Humana (Director of Population Health Analytics). After getting married, having three young cute children (ages 7, 5, and 3), and turning 40, Diana finally had some time for reflection and strategic thinking. So, in the fall of 2023, she decided to go back to the world she dearly missed and longed for - the world of piano! Diana now studies as an amateur with concert pianist and professor Anna Petrova. Prior teachers are Lyn Bronson of Carmel, California, Emilio del Rosario (Music Institute of Chicago), and Stephen Perry (Interlochen Arts Academy). Diana is excited about PianoTexas because of the caliber of artists, teachers, participants, and the focused concentration of learning and performance opportunities. She also would like this to serve as an annual experience to prepare for the Amateur Cliburn scheduled for 2028.