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Birthday
Dianne Walker was born on the 8th of March in 1951 in Boston, Massachusetts. -
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Dianne Contracts Polio
At only 15 months old Dianne contracts Polio and must stay in a hospital for 3 months to recover. After being sent home she is told she must exercise her legs in order to full recover. Her mother decided to enroll her in dance to help with the physical therapy. She studied with Ethel Covan, who was a wonderful ballerina, but Dianne's true passion was tap. -
Beginnings of Tap
At age 7 Dianne is recommended to dance at The Dancing School of Kennedy under Mildred Kennedy. Kennedy had been trained by Hollywood stars and was a profound tapper herself. -
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Moving
Dianne's mother remarries, forcing her to leave her school of dance at age 10. They move to California and then to Japan because her step-father was in the military. Finally in 1968 she returns to Boston, graduates high school and gets married at just 18. -
Starting Anew
Walker, now a 27 year old mother of two, decides to take up tap once again. She studies under Leon Collins. She learns little by little, and soon finds herself teaching children's classes on the weekends. -
First Solo Gig
Collins becomes ill and is unable to attend the International Tip Tap Convention in Rome, Italy. He asks Dianne to go in his place and to present his work for him. This was her first solo gig that later landed her more jobs -
Walker is Featured in Great Performances
In 1989 Walker was featured in Great Performances: Tap Dance in America, hosted by Gregory Hines, dancing a solo to the swinging up-tempo Latin "Perdido." -
Walker's first Film
Dianne appears in her first movie, although not a star. She appears in the movie "Tap!". -
Dianne wins Lifetime Achievement Award in Dance
Walker receives the Dance Magazine Award in 2012 for lifetime achievement in dance.
