Diamond Melody
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Diamond Melody
Diamond Melody, a singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist, is a
native New Yorker. Born into a musical family, her mother was a gospel
recording artist and one of the first female co-pastors; her father, an
activist, pastored a vibrant congregation. Among Diamond Melody’s first musical memories are touring with her musical siblings. A musician, she was the local and regional church choir director, and a gifted worship leader.
Some of her fledgling musical experiences were performances on renowned stages, one of which was New York’s famed Carnegie Hall, where she joined her mother in concert. Diamond - as she is known - and her siblings went on to do backup recording sessions for her mother and others. Bringing cultural and educational performances to U.S. colleges and HBCUs, Diamond Melody performed with the Mercer Ellington Orchestra and similar orchestras/bands. She also attended Long Island's Creative Performing Institute [CPI] under the tutelage of the late Professor Alfred Miller. During those years she performed with arranger Nat Adderly, Jr., songwriter Abbey Lincoln, and Good Times TV mom, Esther Rolle. In elementary school, Diamond Melody was a featured soloist for theater, drama, and musical performances. In middle and high school this continued.
During college, Diamond -- as she is known in the music industry -- began performing with girl groups where she often sang lead. She also sang with her multi-talented siblings, known in the gospel arena as ‘Family Burns.’ Soon after, Diamond started doing club dates and corporate wedding gigs throughout the New York Tri-State area and beyond. It was then that Diamond began receiving calls to do backup recording sessions for various artists at studios including Sony NYC, and SIR, for the likes of Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, and others. Touring extensively, she has lent her impressive backup vocals to legendary gospel greats The Clark Sisters, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Professor Willard Meeks, her brother, vocalist Cal Burns, and others. She has graced stages with her longtime friends Ken ‘Keys’ Robinson, Cheree Price Owens, Kelly Price, Kim Davis, and Melanie Daniels. In the secular world, she toured with well-known artist Don Henley of the Eagles, Jason Mraz, Monica, Joey McIntyre (NKOTB), INXS, Charles Kelly, famed guitarist Carlos Santana, and a bevy of others. For 10+ years she toured with solo artist Rob Thomas formerly the front man for Matchbox 20. To her credit she has shared a stage with pop band the Plain White T’s. She has also collaborated with bandleader Roz Brown, singer Nat Townsley Jr. and Cheryl Pepsii Riley. She and multi-instrumentalist Korel Tunador of the Goo Goo Dolls and the band Vinyl Station have shared stages in different arenas. Having studied music, piano, and theory, Melody Diamond worked as a vocal instructor at both the Maryland and Virginia chapters of the School of Rock where her students adored her. An unmatched vocal coach, she gives private vocal lessons and has trained choral groups. Not just a pretty face, Diamond attended New York’s City College where she majored in psychology. A lady who loves to sing, dance, travel, and delve into the science of the mind, Diamond Melody is an avid interior decorator. In her down time, this cat person seeks to connect with the peace of nature. In the often times-cutthroat music industry, Diamond Melody is truly an eclectic, talented and serene soul.
