Dianne New joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in 1980, at the age of 18, and has been Principal Second Violin since 1988. Born and raised in Edmonton, Dianne started the violin at the age of three in the first year of the Talent Education (Suzuki) Program. A highly respected chamber musician, Dianne was a featured musician for “Alberta at the Smithsonian” in Washington DC, where she performed at the Kennedy Center, Canadian Embassy, and the Opening Night Gala. As a member on the Debut String Quartet, Dianne participated as a finalist in the 1986 Banff International String Quartet Competition. One of her greatest joys, though, has been performing string quartets in the many magnificent natural concert halls of the Grand Canyon, having been part of 7 special 15 day rafting trips down the mighty Colorado river.