Charlotte Diamond

Charlotte Diamond has addressed the needs of bilingual and multilingual children more than any other contemporary children's performer. Diamond sings in three languages -- English, French, and Spanish -- and effortlessly combines these languages in her recordings and live performances. Preschool children and their parents have consistently flocked to her concerts, making Diamond one of the most sought-after children's performers in North America. Diamond was born in 1945 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was raised in that same community. She was educated at the University of British Columbia, where she majored in French and biology. Diamond became a language teacher, but loved music, especially that of Pete Seeger, Nana Mouskouri, and Judy Collins. Diamond attended the Vancouver International Children's Festival, and was inspired to write her own music for children. Diamond first performed her original songs in 1983, and in 1985, she released her first album, 10 Carrot Diamond. The album featured songs about a preschooler's day in three languages, such as "Four Hugs a Day" and "La Bamba." 10 Carrot Diamond, released on Diamond's own Hug Bug Music label, was an instant hit, and became a gold record within a decade. Diamond received three awards for that first recording: the Juno Award, Parent's Choice Award, and the American Library Association Award. Diamond was launched solidly into a career of children's music. The next year, Diamond released another multi-lingual assortment, Diamond in the Rough. In the ten years that followed, Diamond released eight more pop/rock albums and two videos -- a significant feat for an independent children's artist. Each album addressed the interests of preschoolers in a multilingual format. Two of the albums, Qu'il y ait toujours le soleil and Bonjour l'Hiver, were entirely in French, and one, Soy Una Pizza, reached out to Spanish-speaking children. Diamond also starred in two national television specials for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Diamond continues to keep up a rigorous touring schedule. In addition to her numerous musical awards, Diamond is also the recipient of the Frannie Award, from the Canadian Institute of Arts for Young Audiences, given for her outstanding contribution to the arts for young people. ~ P.J. Swift