Diana Blake

Diana Blake graduated Osceola High School (Clarke Community) in 1959.  She received a Bachelor of Music  Education degree from Drake University in 1963 and a Master of Music Education from Drake U. in 1965, and  has done additional graduate work at The University of Michigan and The University of Northern Iowa.

While completing her master’s degree, Blake taught lessons for the Des Moines Public Schools for two years.  Her first contract job began in August 1965, at Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools teaching 6th and 7th grade band.  Over the course of 38 years, she taught band 5 through 8, junior high jazz band, lessons 5 - 12  (even taught a few bassoon lessons at Wartburg College), 9th and 10th grade band, and flags for the high  school marching band. Blake’s longest assignment was 5th grade (beginners) and 8th grade band.

​Blake has been an IBA member forever! Blake received the Philip Sehmann Excellence In Teaching Award - Elementary Level in 1996 from NEIBA. Also from NEIBA the Karl King Distinguished Service Award - Active in 1994 and 2000 and the Kart King Distinguished Service Award - Retired in 2007. She was also awarded the W-SR Friend of Education in 2014 for working with high school and junior high students at festival and contest time. Over the course of Blake’s teaching years, she has directed several honor bands.

Blake has directed the UNI New Horizons Band since May 2004. There are about 85 members (some of who are retired band directors who were her colleagues in NEIBA). As a performer, Blake has played clarinet in the Waterloo Municipal Band since 1983 and bassoon in the Cedar Falls Municipal Band since 1988. She can also be found teaching private oboe and bassoon lessons in her studio and enjoys preparing students for All-State auditions and solo festivals.

Photo Credit: Kelly McCormick