FINA World Swimming Championship Opens with Solo Violinist in Dubai

Dubai threw its arms wide open to the swimming world and Violinist Diana Yukawa as her solo performance marked the opening of the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) got under at the brand-new Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Complex on 15th December.

The opening, that was held in two parts, first witnessed the formal inauguration of the £250 million complex followed by the opening of the championships in the presence of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The ceremony unfolded an artistic tale that begins with the nomadic heritage of the UAE, travelling through the golden sands of the desert and time and concluding with the flourishing of the coastal port of Dubai.

The theme of water, echoed in the Championships' colours of turquoise and aquamarine was central to the opening, showcasing the marriage between sports and culture, while also capturing the traditional Arabic heritage and modern innovation that are the two integral faces of a vibrant and booming Dubai today.

This was followed by the parade of the participating countries — up to a record 153 from the earlier number of 148 — carrying their respective national colours. The cheering crowd was treated to a heavenly sight as solo violinist, Diana Yukawa descended on a special platform, opening the extravaganza whilst acrobats suspended from the roof of the pool formed the backdrop.

Video Game Awards 2010
Halo Music
FINA World Swimming

Solo Violinist Performs Halo Music at 2010 Video Game Awards in LA

Solo Violinist Performs Halo Music at 2010 Video Game Awards in LA

Video Game Awards
Halo Music
FINA Swimming Championship

Diana Yukawa Dressed Like a Princess by Elizabeth Emanuel

Known for her incredible finesse as a violinist, the young Diana Yukawa has played a string of stunning live dates across the UK this summer dressed in equally stunning outfits. The Japanese born, London raised virtuoso has always had impeccable taste and a flair for fashion:

“I don't really consider myself to be fashionable and I don't always follow or know the latest trends as I often prefer more quirky, unique items”, says Yukawa. “I'm more interested to develop my own style to suit my personality. I love vintage clothes and mixing old and new (as well as East and West!).”

Appearing in Elizabeth Emanuel at Kenwood House as part of the Summer Proms English Heritage Picnic Concert, the beautiful Yukawa wowed crowds with original pieces from her latest album “The Butterfly Effect.” Her dress was equally striking, as the fairytale-esque layered cream satin and glittering sequins fluttered in the gentle summer breeze. “As a performing artist, I like to take as much care on the visuals as the music. An audience listens with their eyes first and then their ears.”

Emanuel, of course, is most well known for dressing a different Diana, the Lady Diana Spencer (Princess Diana). It was Emanuel’s iconic designs that Lady Diana wore in 1981 as she wed HRH The Prince of Wales that turned the young designer into an overnight sensation. Since then, Emanuel has dressed countless celebrities from Elizabeth Taylor, Charlize Theron and Twiggy to Enya, Lulu and now Diana Yukawa.

At only 25 years of age, award winning solo violinist Diana Yukawa has already released three albums with BMG and Sony Music and will be returning to the studio to work on new material to be released in 2011 in the UK. Yukawa is looking forward to returning to for the festival season next year and dressing for the occasion.

Violinist Diana Yukawa Website

Dressed Like a Princess by Elizabeth Emanuel

Diana Yukawa Supports Katherine Jenkins

Dressed Like a Princess Diana Yukawa

Friday Night Is Music Night Again Welcomes Diana Yukawa

Sensational solo violinist Diana Yukawa was invited back to BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night as a special guest for the Kiri Prize final. The young violinist performed Meditation from Thais by Massenet together with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Salut d'amour by Elgar.

Friday Night is Music Night has launched a nationwide hunt with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future.The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is a new initiative offering one winner a unique opportunity to sing with Dame Kiri at Radio 2’s Proms in the Park event later this year, and the chance to attend a three week residential course at the Solti Te Kanawa Academia in Italy.

Diana Yukawa has recently headlined at the Kenwood House Picnic concerts, opened a new music event in Dubai as well as supported Katherine Jenkins at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Signed to Sony Music Japan as an International artist, the solo violinist has had several successful albums and has recently released her new album The Butterfly Effect. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Producer Andy Wright, the album’s innovative compositions hint at Yukawa’s new modern musical direction, revealing the violin as a truly diverse instrument.



The contemporary violinist is now working on new material for her next album. The new material is expected to be developed further from that of her latest album and is expected to include many collaborations, including vocalists – something Diana has always been keen on.

Diana looks forward to introducing her new sound over the coming months and returning to the festival season - for which her team are now taking bookings.

Listen to Diana Yukawa - Friday Night is Music Night on 3rd September 2010, BBC Radio 2.

Friday Night Is Music Night

Violinist Website

Diana Supports Katherine Jenkins

Violinist Diana Yukawa Headline at Picnic Concerts

English Heritage Picnic Concerts, as part of the Summer Proms, is one of the largest and most respected music events of the summer. This past Saturday saw thousands of people descend upon Kenwood House and the beautiful surroundings of Hampstead Heath to witness the young award-winning violinist Diana Yukawa grace the stage.

Reunited with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, (with whom she recorded her second album), conducted by John Rigby, Diana looked stunning as she gave an incredible world-class performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Wearing Elizabeth Emanuel, who has dressed celebrities including HRH The Princess of Wales, the beautiful London based virtuoso also wowed crowds with an original piece from her latest album “The Butterfly Effect.” The stunning composition of Summer Elegy (written by David Whitaker) was expertly executed by young Diana.
Diana also led Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: Summertime as well as a heart rendering version of Williams’ Schindler’s List: Main Theme.

A show brimming with such emotion and soaring strings could only have been met with rapturous applause, as the classical masterpieces performed alongside Diana’s own modern musical journey prove that she will always be a fantastic traditional player and an exciting original talent.

Having already supported Katherine Jenkins earlier this summer, this show is one of the many fantastic venues that the talented Diana has played throughout her career: having dazzled a 60,000 strong audience at the Khalifa Stadium in Qatar, played a sold-out Hollywood Bowl and made an appearance at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Signed to Sony Music Japan as an International artist, Diana has had several successful albums and has recently released her new album The Butterfly Effect. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Producer Andy Wright, the album’s innovative compositions hint at Yukawa’s new modern musical direction, revealing the violin as a truly diverse instrument.

At only 24, Diana has led an extraordinary life: Born in Tokyo to an English ballet dancer and a Japanese banker just 3 weeks after the 1985 Japan Airlines disaster that took her father’s life, Diana has crossed cultural boundaries in her personal life and experiments with those boundaries in her musical output.

The Kenwood Picnic concert season is one of London’s most popular alfresco music events, with artists such as Florence and The Machine, Rufus Wainwright, Diana Krall, Will Young and Jamie Cullum delighting audiences in addition to Diana Yukawa. And after her triumphant concert, Diana will be retuning to the studio to work on new material to be released in 2011 in the UK as she looks forward to returning to the festival season - for which her team are now taking bookings.

Violinist Diana Yukawa Website

Diana Headlines Picnic Concerts

Diana Supports Katherine Jenkins

Jam Dubai Opens with Diana Yukawa

Jam Dubai, a brand new music event in Dubai has officially been launched with a performance by Diana Yukawa on 28th July 2010. The violinist performed a mixture of tracks from her most recent album as well as some popular covers to a great audience, the first to experience Jam Dubai.

Jam Dubai is Dubai’s newest monthly live music event initially being held on the last Friday of every month. The first event was held at the ultra modern, Media One Hotel in Media City but it is expected to travel to various venues throughout Dubai as the event develops over time.

Diana is a regular performer in Dubai and its neighbouring cities. Recently, Diana launched Qatar’s 2022 campaign to host the World Cup, performed at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and at a show on The Pearl.

Diana’s next performance will see her take the well known stage at Kenwood House for the ever popular 2010 Picnic Concert series. Diana is then eager to get to work on new material for her next album, with collaborations being a focus for the young violinist.

Perhaps Diana will soon perform this new material at another upcoming Jam Dubai event – watch this space.

Visit the Violinist's Website

Diana Yukawa Supports Katherine Jenkins at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Diana Yukawa Supports Katherine Jenkins at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Situated in the heart of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham Racecourse has been host to a plethora of events over the years, from horse racing to concerts and literary festivals. This year, July the 3rd saw the young violinist Diana Yukawa take to the stage in support of the famous classical Welsh singer, Katherine Jenkins. Jenkins was said to be thrilled to have Diana supporting her on what was the start of her UK tour.

The open-air concert took place against the backdrop of Cleeve Hill, bathed in the evening sun young Yukawa was part of an incredible line up. Playing the specially arranged pieces with The National Symphony Orchestra for the first time, having already previously worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the award-winning and talented Violinist delighted audiences with songs from her new album “The Butterfly Effect.”

Soon to be released worldwide, the innovative compositions hint at Yukawa’s new modern musical direction, revealing the violin as a truly diverse and complex instrument. The energetic and stunning performances of original material such as Snow Globe, Flying, 3000 AD (all co-written by Yukawa and Andy Wright) and Summer Elegy (written by David Whitaker) were met with rapturous applause.

The concert was conducted by Grammy nominated Anthony Inglis to more than 2000 fans: an intimate crowd considering Yukawa’s previous shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Khalifa Stadium in Qatar.

This years fundraising concert was arranged by The Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund (LNC). Since it attained charitable status in 1999, the local healthcare charity has worked relentlessly to improve the care of cancer patients in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and south Worcestershire. By all accounts this years concert was equally as delightful as the last classical concert that took place outdoors at the racecourse in 2003, when the Italian tenor Jose Carreras and the Welsh opera singer Bryn Terfel graced the stage with their presence.

Diana’s next performance will see her headline Picnic Concerts’ Summer Proms at Kenwood House in Hampstead, London on the 7th of August this year.

http://www.dianayukawa.co.uk

Diana Yukawa will be supporting Katherine Jenkins in concert at Cheltenham Racecourse. Diana Yukawa will perform 4 tracks from her recent album arranged specially for Orchestra.

Join, Diana, Katherine and National Symphony Orchestra for this special evening of entertainment.

Book Tickets
Diana's Website

Kenwood Summer Proms Welcomes Violin Virtuoso Diana Yukawa

The solo violinist has had 2 successful Award winning violinist Diana Yukawa will grace the beautiful landscapes and its audience at Kenwood House as part of this year’s Summer Proms.

The London based violin virtuoso will perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons a celebration of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by John Rigby, will join Diana in a thrilling world-class performance of Antonio Vivaldi's masterpiece.

The solo violinist has had 2 succesful albums with BMG Japan and has now signed to Sony Music Japan as an international artist. Diana has recently returned from Japan where she has been promoting her new album, The Butterfly Effect which she recorded at Abbey Road Studios with Producer Andy Wright. The album comprises of 14 tracks, 11 of which were co-written by the Diana, demonstrating yet another great talent to add to the young violinist’s bow.

At only 24, Diana has lead an extraordinary life. Born in Tokyo to an English ballet dancer and a Japanese banker just 3 weeks after the 1985 Japan Airlines disaster that took her father’s life, Diana has crossed cultural boundaries in her personal life and is pushing to cross even further in her professional life as a talented and much celebrated violinist.

Diana’s colourful career to date has seen her perform at many prestigious venues. More recently she has dazzled audiences with her new music at venues including to 60’000 people at a Khalifa Stadium in Qatar, to a sold-out Hollywood Bowl and at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Diana is back in the studio, further developing her sound for the UK, Europe and US release so fans of her music can be sure to hear more from this talented musician in the year ahead.

The Kenwood Picnic concert season is one of London’s most popular outside music events. Florence and The Machine, Rufus Wainwright, Diana Krall, Will Young and Jamie Cullum will all be gracing audiences in addition to Diana.
The performance at Kenwood House will reunite Diana with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and will add to the violinist’s list of prestigious venues.


Kenwood House, Hampstead - Saturday 7 August 7:30pm

Book Tickets: http://www.picnicconcerts.com/concerts.php?venue=1&event=11
Visit Diana’s Official Website: http://www.dianayukawa.co.uk

Diana Yukawa - The Butterfly Effect (Snow Globe)