Diane Block
Diane Block is a classically trained professional violinist, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Violin Performance from Manhattan School of Music. She studied with the notable Russian violin pedagogue Raphael Bronstein, who had been a student of Leopold Auer at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia.
Professor Bronstein opened her eyes (and ears) to the connections between music, poetry, history, philosophy and religion, often communicating by metaphor.
At MSM she developed a passion for Romantic and Modern Poetry, shared by musician friends at monthly salons. Since then she experiences an intimate link between music and poetry, where each informs the other.
Diane has free-lanced as section violinist in the metropolitan area for the last 40 years. She retired as Orchestra Director in June, 2013 after serving the Farmingdale School District on Long Island for 25 years.
Diane and cellist Terry Batts co-founded the Duo Gemini Journey, accompanied by Fred Simpson on percussion. They have performed at Cornelia Street Café and numerous venues throughout Long Island and the metropolitan area. She also performs as 1st violinist in the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra.
Diane has featured her poetry at all the major venues in New York City and Long Island. She is married to the poet Bernard Block and together they have co-featured in Philadelphia, Laugharne, South Wales and NYC. Her poems are published in the prestigious European on-line literary journal Levure Littéraire No. 9 and many anthologies.
When Ice Melts to Green is her first poetry book which she is thrilled to put out into the world.
