Diane Arkenstone

Diane Arkenstone is a New-age singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is an opera singer and plays multiple instruments including guitar, keyboard, wood flutes, dulcimer, synthesizers, percussion, metal drum, and kalimbas.

Born

California, U.S.

GenresAmbient, New-age, World music, Celtic, Americana

OccupationsSinger, composer, multi-instrumentalist

InstrumentsGuitar, keyboard, wood flutes, synthesizers, dulcimer, percussion, metal drum, kalimba, keyboard

Quick facts Born, Genres ...

Diane Arkenstone
Born	California, U.S.
Genres	Ambient, New-age, World music, Celtic, Americana
Occupations	Singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Guitar, keyboard, wood flutes, synthesizers, dulcimer, percussion, metal drum, kalimba, keyboard
Label	Neo Pacifica Recordings

Website	www.dianearkenstone.com

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Her discography contains over 55 albums spanning a variety of genres.^[1] Throughout her career, she has also collaborated creatively as part of the duo, Enaid & Einalem, and with fellow new-age musician, and ex-husband, David Arkenstone,^[2] as well as producer Derek Nakamoto.

She's also released numerous projects and collaborations through her self-owned label, Neo Pacifica Recordings, including projects under the names Ah Nee Mah and Enaid, and collaborations like Earth Trybe and Marquis Ensemble.

About

Diane grew up in California on a working cattle ranch. She wrote her first song at the age of three and started playing guitar at the age of seven.^[3]

Since childhood, she has had multiple heart surgeries. In 2004 she was an official spokesperson for the American Heart Association.^[4]

Career

A singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Diane trained as an opera singer, and has enjoyed experimenting with a variety of genres throughout her career.^[2]

She plays multiple instruments including guitar, keyboard,^[5] wood flutes,^[6] dulcimer, synthesizers, percussion, metal drum, and kalimbas.

She has sold over two million units worldwide via Neo Pacifica Recordings, the independent label she launched in the late 1990s.^[7]

Her albums The Healing Heart and Avalon: Between Earth and Sky reached #1 on the Amazon New Age charts for physical product, and her songs are regularly featured on Amazon playlists including "Great New Age Music", "Spa Day", "New Age for Meditation", and many more.^[8]

Arkenstone's album Jewel in the Sun debuted at number 16 on Billboard's New Age charts when it was released in 2002, and peaked at number 11.^[3]

Her first album, Celtic Nights, sold over 500,000 copies and was released under her Celtic alias, Enaid, which is Diane spelled backwards and means life/soul in old Celtic/Irish.^[2]

Her albums have been sold in the majority of National Parks under her Native American band name, Ah Nee Mah.^[9]

Her albums have also been sold in museums and resorts across the US such as the Smithsonian, Shed Museum, Hearst Castle, and Disneyland. Her music was also used in the King Tut World Tour and played overhead in Las Vegas on Freemont Street.

Her music has been featured during the Sydney Olympics, and on networks including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Hallmark, NBC, CBS, and Indie and PBS films, My Child, Mother’s of War, Joan of Arc, and Written on the Landscape: Mysteries Beyond Chaco Canyon.

In 2005, The Best of Diane Arkenstone was ranked No. 1 on Zone Music Reporter's Top 100 Airplay Chart, out of 2800 recordings reported that year.^[10]^[11]

Diane's voice is featured on the soundtrack for the 2002 game Heroes of Might and Magic IV, including the songs "A Wise Tale" and "Hope" (among many others) of the game's soundtrack. While her name is not in the credits of the game, her influence of classical music is noticeable throughout the soundtrack.

Her prolific discography and collaborations have resulted in over 55 albums spanning a variety of genres.^[1]

Throughout her career she has also collaborated creatively as part of the duo, Enaid & Einalem, and with like-minded musician David Arkenstone.^[2]

In addition to releasing her own music, she's released numerous projects and collaborations through her label, including projects under the names, Ah Nee Mah and Enaid, and collaborations like Earth Trybe and Marquis Ensemble.

Her most recent recordings include The Healing Heart, released in 2021, Avalon: Between Earth and Sky, with David Arkenstone, released in 2022, and World Calling, released in 2023.^[12]

Her album, Aquaria II - Ascension, reflects humanity's evolution from the Piscean Age of water, to the Aquarian Age of air, and the shift to more awareness and nurturing energy.

Collaborations

Diane has collaborated with

David Arkenstone
Producer Derek Nakamoto

Press

Diane has garnered numerous press accolades throughout her career.

Jukebox Time affirmed Diane's "authentic artistic caliber," and her "enigmatic yet scintillating contemporary vibe" on the album, Light Of Varying Energies.^[13]

American Songwriter notes on her 2020 vocal track "Ions": "A sultry and slinky come hither, Arkenstone purrs and sighs to a slow, jazzy rhythm, writhing in coquettish charm."^[14]

Tour

Headlined with David Arkenstone at Symphony Hall in Utah
The Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City
National Parks Tour across the US
Chautauqua Theatre in Boulder, CO