Diane Kolin
LightNews LightNews
banner
dianekolin.bsky.social
Diane Kolin
@dianekolin.bsky.social
47 followers 45 following 75 posts
Founder of ArtsAbly, MA, Musicologist, Singer, Senior Project Manager PMP®, PhD candidate in Musicology (ABD), Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility (RHFAC) Professional, Disability Rights Activist, RAMPD Pro artist.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
The new website of the Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026, co-organized by UBC and ArtsAbly, has been launched. The program of the symposium is now published. The event is free but registration is mandatory. Visit www.musiccollectiveaccess.com for more information.
Homepage of the Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026 website. The logo gives the title of the symposium in dark blue font. A picture of the venue, a building with a black roof and a circular window, and a square orange clock tower on the left side with Chinese characters.
February 2, 2026 at 2:45 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Voice and vibrations experiments with David Bobier and Jim Ruxton at VibraFusionLab in Hamilton. We explored pitch and speed change, and visual projections of my voice while feeling vibrations. More to come soon 🎶
Diane, a white woman with short hair and glasses sitting in her wheelchair, looking at two white men, David, with white hair and moustache and glasses, and Jim, holding an orange watch. Both wear black sweaters and blue jeans. A stand with a tablet shows lyrics of a song. This small white device on the tripod is a movement detector changing my pitch. We also configured to watch to change my speed. The watch is strapped on my wheel, on the opposite side of the picture. Diane rolls forward and backwards to change her voice pitch while she sings. She has a vibrating cushion on her knees. Jim holds his phone and films Diane. The lights are off. Diane sings in the microphone she is holding. A projector has been added on a black plastic cart, projecting Diane's image duplicated several times.
January 30, 2026 at 7:41 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Posted by Philip Glass
After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony. Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.
January 27, 2026 at 7:15 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Just finished the dress rehearsal for Lord of the Rings with live orchestra and choir. 250 musicians and singers on stage. I am just behind the drums 😅 Premiere in one hour and two performances tomorrow. Join us if you are up for a Tolkien adventure!

filmharmonique.ca/productions/...
Poster for Lord of the Rings at Meridian Hall, January 23 and 24. It shows Frodo’s face on a big screen with conductor, orchestra and choir under the screen. Drums and gongs on stage.
January 23, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
Check out the episode 55 of our podcast “ArtsAbly in Conversation” with Eric Whitmer, a third-year Ph.D. student in Musicology at the University of Michigan.

Find the podcast episode here: www.artsably.com/episode-55-a...

#ArtsAbly #arts #disability #accessibility #DisabilityArts
A photo of Eric Whitmer appears, a white man with short black hair wearing a blue shirt and black pants, smiling at the camera, sitting in a grey staircase close to a pile of books with an open laptop on it. The hands seem in movement as if accompanying a vivid conversation. The text reads “ArtsAbly in Conversation with Eric Whitmer, Episode 55.” The ArtsAbly logo is below.
January 23, 2026 at 3:16 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Thank you all who attended my doctoral defense virtually or in person. All went well, the committee members asked interesting questions leading to interesting conversations. It was a great experience! 🎓🍾
A group of people surrounding Diane after her dissertation defense. People are waving their hands and smiling.
January 22, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed Eric Whitmer @ewhitmer.bsky.social, a third-year Ph.D. student in Musicology at the University of Michigan.

Visit www.artsably.com/interview-re... to check out the resources mentioned during the conversation.
The ArtsAbly logo is featured with a text saying "ArtsAbly in Conversation with Eric Whitmer, Episode 55 will be posted on Friday. Resources already available on artsably.com." A photo of Eric appears, a white man with short black hair wearing a blue shirt and black pants, smiling at the camera, sitting in a grey staircase close to a pile of books with an open laptop on it. The hands seem in movement as if accompanying a vivid conversation.
January 20, 2026 at 2:42 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
My doctoral defense is tomorrow! To those who read these words and with whom I worked in these past few years, thank you! This journey would not have been possible without you. If you want to attend, it will be at York University tomorrow, Jan 20, at 2 pm, and online. Contact me for more details.
A title slide with the text: "Music and Disability: History, Sociology, Education," Doctoral Dissertation Defense, Diane Kolin, January 20, 2026. The logo of York University is at the bottom.
January 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
Check out the episode 54 of our podcast “ArtsAbly in Conversation” with Robyn Rennie, a visual artist living in New Brunswick in Canada.

Find the podcast episode here: www.artsably.com/episode-54-a...

#ArtsAbly #arts #disability #accessibility #DisabilityArts #AccessibleArts #InConversationWith
A photo of Robyn Rennie appears, a white woman with medium-length black hair and black glasses, wearing a black top. Her head is slightly turned to the right. The text reads “ArtsAbly in Conversation with Robyn Rennie, Episode 54.” The ArtsAbly logo is below.
January 16, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed Robyn Rennie, a visual artist living in New Brunswick in Canada.

Visit www.artsably.com/interview-re... to check out the resources mentioned during the conversation. The podcast episode will be published on Friday.
The ArtsAbly logo is featured with a text saying "ArtsAbly in Conversation with Robyn Rennie, Episode 54 will be posted on Friday. Resources already available on artsably.com." A photo of Robyn appears, a white woman with medium-length black hair and black glasses, wearing a black top. Her head is slightly turned to the right.
January 13, 2026 at 3:47 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Finally! 🙂 I just received the approval for my PhD dissertation defense. Save the date: January 20 at 2 pm! It will be hybrid, via Zoom remotely and at York University in person. If you would like to join in person or remotely, let me know, I will send you more details.
A picture of a white mug with a black text that says PhD in progress, with a progress bar 75% full. Above it, a text says Defense date confirmed. Under it, a text says Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 2 pm.
January 9, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
Check out the episode 53 of our podcast “ArtsAbly in Conversation” with seeley quest, a trans disabled environmentalist, arts and equity educator, living in Toronto in Canada.

Find the podcast episode here: www.artsably.com/episode-53-a...
A photo of seeley quest, a white androgynous trans person with short brown and silver hair and a light moustache, wearing a green scarf over a black top, and smiling at the camera. The text reads “ArtsAbly in Conversation with seeley quest, Episode 53.” The ArtsAbly logo is below.
January 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Enjoying my next singing adventure chasing a ring, in Elvish, Mannish, Dwarvish, and yes, one sentence in English 😂
Cover of a score with the text “The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, Piano Vocal score.” Two pages of vocal and piano score in Elvish.
January 7, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed seeley quest, a trans disabled environmentalist, arts and equity educator, living in Toronto in Canada.

Visit www.artsably.com/interview-re... to check out the resources mentioned during the conversation.
The ArtsAbly logo is featured with a text saying "ArtsAbly in Conversation with seeley quest, Episode 53 will be posted on Friday. Resources already available on artsably.com." A photo of seeley appears, a white androgynous trans person with short brown and silver hair and a light moustache, wearing a green scarf over a black top, and smiling at the camera.
January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
The ArtsAbly team wishes you a Happy New Year 2026! We are back to the office with a new series of podcast episode. This week's guest will be announced tomorrow. Stay tuned!
The text Happy New Year in yellow and 2026 in blue on a white background. Logo of ArtsAbly at the bottom, a triangle with red, green and yellow sides with he text ArtsAbly in black.
January 5, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
Our latest newsletter, "ArtsAbly's Bulletin," starts with an open conversation article about accessibility for singers in choirs. You will also discover five 2025 highlights, and some news about the upcoming Music and Collective Access symposium in February 2026.

tinyurl.com/artsably-dec...
ArtsAbly's logo and the text ArtsAbly's Bulletin
December 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Thank you Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) for the highlight 🙂 And cheers to the other artists who shared the virtual stage this year 🎶
Pictures of several artists with the text RAMPD Highlights, pro members highlights of 2025 represent international day of persons with disabilities.
December 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Happy birthday Ludwig 🎶
Bronze statue of Ludwig van Beethoven
December 17, 2025 at 3:34 AM
dianekolin.bsky.social
If you know me, you know that I love singing. As I just finished my last concert of 2025 yesterday night, I want to reflect on my experience as a disabled singer in vocal ensembles using a wheelchair.

Full article available here: www.artsably.com/my-experienc...
Diane singing, sitting on a stage, surrounded by standing singers. She wears a green top and holds a black folder containing her music score. A huge group performing a concert, with an orchestra on the ground and singers filling the stairs of a church. A woman seen from the back conducts the ensemble. A white ramp leading to a white stage.
December 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
Our next concert with Amadeus Choir is tomorrow, Friday December 12, with the traditional Messiah, at Yorkminster at 7:30 pm. We will share the stage with VIVA Chamber Singers and the Elmer Iseler Singers, conducted by Lydia Adams. Contact me for the promo code. 🎶
A poster of the Elmer Iseler Singers promoting Handel's Messiah concert, with the name of the conductor Lydia Adams, pictures of the soloists, date and time, and name of the venue.
December 11, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Reposted by Diane Kolin
artsably.com
Only five days left before the submission deadline of the Call for Papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium. Don't forget to submit your abstract, and don't hesitate to share the call for papers: tinyurl.com/music-access.
December 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
It was such a great experience to sing JS Bach’s entire Christmas Oratorio yesterday with Amadeus Choir and an incredible orchestra composed of musicians of Tafelmusik, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and University of Toronto Faculty of Music ensembles, led by the fantastic Kathleen Allan.
Poster of the concert outside the church. The words “sold out” are written with a pen across the poster. Conductor leading the orchestra. Our soloists receiving a lot of applauses from the choir and the audience. Picture taken from the audience of the final applause. The audience members give us a standing ovation.
December 9, 2025 at 2:39 AM
dianekolin.bsky.social
The Call for Papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium is till open. If you have questions, don't hesitate to send an email. Don't hesitate to share the call for papers published on various platforms including ArtsAbly's website: tinyurl.com/music-access. Deadline: December 15th, 2025.
Call for papers for the Music and Collective Access Symposium 2026. The logos of UBC, ArtsAbly and Kickstart are on the top right. Submission deadline is December 15. Submissions and questions can be sent by email at musiccollectiveaccess@gmail.com. A QR Code on the bottom right redirects to the call for papers page on ArtsAbly’s website: https://tinyurl.com/music-access.
December 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
It has been a journey! End of the term, and last teaching morning at York University. The students applauded at the end 🥰 We talked about opera. My next step will be my doctoral defence, soon to be announced (hopefully…). It was my last time at York before the defence.
Diane sitting in her wheelchair surrounded by books. A computer is on her left. Snow on York University campus, with fresh footsteps in the snow. Some patches of blue in the sky.
December 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
dianekolin.bsky.social
I have a new book chapter out in the "Disability and Musicking" anthology edited by Leon de Bruin, Anthea Skinner and Jane Southcott, with a preface by Evelyn Glennie! 🙂

Congratulations to all the authors and to our editors. This book looks amazing!

www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
A picture of someone on stage in a lying down position with an arm and fist up as a sign of defiance. The title of the book reads: Disability and Musicking, Resistance, Defiance, and Innovation, edited by Leon de Bruin, Anthea Skinner and Jane Southcott, foreword by Evelyn Glennie.
November 27, 2025 at 8:15 PM