Daily Inspiration: Meet Diana Ladio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Ladio.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a violinist/fiddle player based in Nashville, TN, and was lucky to be welcomed as the fiddle player to The Elders in 2015. Kansas City quickly became a second home! I began playing when I was 10 years old, received a degree in Classical Music, then began learning and performing in the Celtic and Irish genres.

My band, The Moxie Strings, has been touring for 15 years and had the good fortune to cross paths with The Elders along in our musical travels, and the rest is history! I’m lucky to say I now have a career performing and teaching music throughout the country, and Kansas City has been a big part of that journey.

I now perform and teach professionally, and also write a blog on the importance of emotional health, specifically as musicians. I also lead a nonprofit that offers musical opportunities to underserved students.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think any professional musician will tell you it was an easy path. We’ve slept on many floors, played for no money, and spent many years “paying our dues” before we were able to begin calling it a sustainable career. I think women in the music industry face unique challenges including (but not limited to) sexism and extreme focus on appearance and personal body image.

I’d happily elaborate on any of these topics! I believe strongly in the importance of emotional health and finding adequate support to cope with and overcome these inevitable challenges.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a 5-string violinist and fiddle player, and I aim to be able to play as many genres as possible! My degree is in Classical Music, and I quickly began venturing into the fiddle world, specifically Celtic and Bluegrass. I now specialize in electronics and audio effects with regards to string instruments, and most of what I perform is original. I love finding a balance between learning the history and subtleties of many genres, while also creating sounds of my own.

I’m very lucky to play professionally in a project where I have creative freedom and we can play a lot of original music, which is rare and I don’t take it for granted! I now do a lot of teaching and encourage students to embrace all the limitless potential they have as young creatives. The sky is the limit! I love being the illustration of that. I began playing strings in my public school orchestra program, which I am also very proud of!

I didn’t get a special head start, just had the good fortune to be introduced to the “idea” that there was a lot more I could do on my instrument. I enjoy being that voice for thousands of young people every year.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I adore Kansas City and feel so lucky to have been welcomed so fully into such a great community. The Elders have a beautiful legacy and it is an honor to have played a small part in it. Thank you!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.dianaladio.com
• Instagram: @dianaladio
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dianaladioofficial
• Youtube: youtube.com/dianaladio

Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Courtney Kent Photography