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Early years
Dianne "Lady Di" Walker was born in Boston, Massachusetts. When she was two years old, she became stricken by the childhood illness of polio. This virus caused temporary, yet often permanent paralysis. In 1955 a vaccine was introduced. To rebuild her strength, Dianne's mother enrolled her in dance classes soon after the vaccine. It uncovered a passion in Walker at a very young age.Walker became very enthusiastic about dance from ballet to jazz and then on to tap. -
Taught Dance On Airforce Base
Walkers' father was in the United States Air Force. He and his family were located on the Air Force Base within Boston. Their family soon left their hometown of Boston to relocate to the Air Force Base in Southern California. While living there Walker taught dance classes on Saturday mornings. Her family soon had to relocate once more to the Pacific island of Okinawa. -
Dianne's Life Changing Moment
Back in the U.S., Dianne earned an education degree from Boston University and entered a Masters program at Antioch University, located within Yellow Springs, Ohio. Soon she was yet to be married and bear two children and even considered going to law school. -
Meeting Leon
By the time she planned on attending law school, life had changed when she attended a community event where she would soon meet Willy Prince Spencer, an old vaudeville dancer. Spencer had suggested that Dianne take lessons from Leon Collins, a famed tapdancer who still gave lessons at the Brookline studio. Dianne recognized the moment she walked into his studio, that she had fell in love with the art of tap dancing. -
The Start of New Beginnings
Dianne Walker began her professional dance career. She later performed with Collins & Company and became one of the directors of Leon Collins Dance Studio Inc. in Brookline Massachusetts. Dianne is considered a pioneer in the resurgence of tap dancing. The Boston Herald has also called her America's first lady of tap. -
Collins' Death
Dianne begin to take over some of Collins classes and attended her first solo debut at a festival located in Rome Italy, On his deathbed Collins had expressed his appreciation for Walker, asking her to "dance for him." Upon Collins death Walker made a magnificent debut before an audience of 2000 people. Walker along with another student of Collins had soon taken over his studio. -
Big Debut
Walker appeared in the productions of both the Paris and Broadway, "Black and Blue", a revue celebrating the achievements of many artistic African-American expatriates in Paris. She was also featured in the film, "Tap", which reintroduced tap dancing to mainstream audiences. For "Black and Blue's" Broadway version, Dianne served as an assistant choreographer as well as dance captain. -
"Lady Di"
Walker often toured jazz clubs and festivals. One of Walker's youngest costars in both priductions of "Black and Blue" as well as "Tap", was Savior Glover. Savion, 11 years ago at the time, often appeared on Sesame Street children's program while introducing yet another generation to tap. Walker became his mentor. Glover often called her aunt Dianne, but with a more frequently used nickname in which expressed her elegance, she soon became "Lady Di." -
"Lady Di"
1996 Dianne served on the board of the Massachusetts cultural council, as well as participated in the dance USA task force on dance education. Dianne however also believed that young dancers needed more outlets for their talents. In 1997, attempting to keep up a busy schedule of appearances as a dancer, Walker left the call in studio and became a full-time teacher. She had maintained guest teaching positions at Harvard University, Williams college, and the University of Michigan. -
Accomplishments
In 1998, Dianne became the youngest dancer as well as first woman to receive the living treasure and American dance award from Oklahoma city University. -
Accomplishments
In 2000, she also received the Savion Glover Award for "Keeping the
Beat Alive" in St. Louis Missouri. -
Accomplishments
In 2003, Dianne received a flo-Bert award, given to her by the New York committee to celebrate National Tap Dance day, in recognition of her achievements regarding tap dancing. -
Accomplishments
In 2004, Walker received the Hoofers award from Tap City NYC And also received an award in Los Angeles in memory of Gregory Hines. That same year, she was presented with the humanitarian award from Jason Samuel Smith of the Debbie Allen Dance academy. -
Accomplishments
In 2005, Diane received another lifetime achievement recognition from director Sas Selford of the Vancouver tap dance society. -
Accomplishments
In 2006, Dianne's achievements were honored at a luncheon located in Flint Michigan. This ceremony was sponsored by Tapology, artistic and Executive Director Alfred Bruce Bradley and the Mott foundation.
