DIANA RAMÍREZ ROSALES

Program Director

A native of Costa Rica, Diana received her master’s degree from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where she studied with violin virtuoso Charles Castleman. During her time at Frost, she was a member of the acclaimed Henri Mancini Institute Orchestra, where she performed with music celebrities such as James Newton Howard, John Williams, Jeff Beal, Chris Walden, and Ben Folds. She holds a Post Baccalaureate degree (Licenciatura) in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica and a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia. 

As an educator, Diana has served as a violin and viola instructor in Costa Rica, as well as Texas and California. She has also been a guest teaching artist at Festival de la Música Orchestral and Fundación Azteca, both in Mexico; Instituto Baccarelli in Brazil, and Buffalo String Works in New York.

As an orchestral performer, Diana has performed with professional orchestras internationally such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Orchestra Miami, Oklahoma City, Abilene Philharmonic, Orchestra of the Americas, among others.

As a chamber musician, Diana and her husband, bassoonist Dr. Brian McKee co-founded TransAmerican Duo, an emerging bassoon and violin chamber ensemble committed to new music in collaboration with contemporary composers, as well as community outreach and teaching. 

Diana is an alumna of The Global Leaders Program - a highly competitive program focused on leadership and social entrepreneurship for selected musicians from around the world - Executive Certificate in Social Entepreneurship. Her case study for The Global Leaders Program in collaboration with Buffalo Strings Works is published in the Music in Action Journal.

Diana currently serves as the Program Director at YOSAL, after being the Upper Strings specialist for three years. She also forms part of Ensemble Monterey, I Cantori de Carmel,and often subs with Monterey Symphony, and others. During her free time, Diana and her husband enjoy hiking, creating fun dishes, playing board games, and traveling to visit family and friends. They also have a 6 years old cat named Blossom.