The sound of music can quickly turn around any bad day, and Diane Rosenthal has made it her life’s work to help with that.
Rosenthal said music has been part of her life ever since she was a little girl. Having grown up in Evanston, Illinois, her passion for music was ignited as early as 7 years old with her first instrument, the violin.
She participated in orchestra and theater at Evanston Township High School, which lead to another love of hers—teaching.
"While conducting a musical theater production in high school, I discovered the excitement of leading a group to the creation of a musical performance, and that led me to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for a degree in music education," Rosenthal said.
Rosenthal is the music program director for Merrillville Community Schools and is also the orchestra director at Merrillville High School. She has taught grades 6-12 for the last 16 years.
“Being with students gives me the opportunity to build a personal relationship with them,” Rosenthal said. “In my classroom, music is the vehicle through which the students discover their best selves and develop the life skills that will lead them to a fulfilling future."
Rosenthal's hard work has earned her a Lilly Endowment Grant, with which she will attend a yoga retreat.
"The goals of the retreat are to recharge and learn new ways of approaching the world that will lead to increased creativity and joy. I hope to share these new skills with my students to add to their abilities to live their best lives, now and in the future," she said.
“I am excited that I was granted this award. I think it will be a great way for my students and I to tackle stressful days better.”
In her limited free time, Rosenthal likes to relax with a good book.