Diane Bish

Her great-grandparents, George Harold Schuessler and Magdalena Bender, migrated from Eschelbach, Germany, to Furley, Kansas, during the 1870s.

Bish changed her middle name from "Joyce" to "Joy" after graduating from high school.

Bish began piano lessons when she was 6 years old and started organ lessons at age 14.

She noted that her foundation in piano gave her the background needed to succeed with organ studies, which required not only excellent keyboard technique but also added in the pedal.

She had played on the 1925 Austin Organ installed in the school auditorium.

Diane Joyce Bish (born May 25, 1941) is an American organist, composer, conductor, as well as executive producer and host of The Joy of Music television series.

As a concert organist, she performs at concerts throughout North America and Europe.

Bish also continues to tape episodes for her television series by visiting notable organs throughout the world.

Diane Joyce Bish was born in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest daughter of Howard Leroy Bish and his wife Esther Jeanette, born Schuessler.

Bish graduated from Wichita East High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1959.

In 1969, Bish received a scholarship from the French government to return to Europe for further study with Marie-Claire Alain.

Upon her return from Europe, she moved to Wichita Falls, Texas to teach for a year, before realizing that, instead of teaching, she wanted to have a church job and continue her performance career.

In 1984, she returned there to play a benefit concert, which raised enough money for the organ to be restored.

She became interested in the organ as a young child who listened to the Mormon Tabernacle organist on Sunday morning programs, as well as recordings of E. Power Biggs.

Bish began studying organ as a student of Dorothy Addy, who challenged her to learn much of the classic organ repertoire during her high school years, which helped her later when she needed a variety of music for concerts and programs.

In college, she studied under Mildred Andrews.

Later, she was a recipient of Fulbright and French government grants for study in Amsterdam with Gustav Leonhardt, and in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and Marie-Claire Alain.

Bish credited Leonhardt with teaching her "the art of music."

Leonhardt taught both the harpsichord and the organ and emphasized articulation and spacing in his lessons.

Bish began her college career on a full scholarship at Asbury College in Kentucky, which had a four-manual Austin pipe organ.

In her junior year, Bish transferred to the University of Oklahoma, after auditioning to become a student of Mildred Andrews at the university.

After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree, Bish stayed at the university to earn a Master of Music degree.

While at the University of Oklahoma, Bish joined the Mu Kappa chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, an international, co-educational professional music fraternity that is composed of collegiate chapters, alumni chapters, and allied members.

She joined the organization for the camaraderie of fellow musicians as well as the opportunities it offered, such as musical activities and competitions.

On October 31, 2002, in Bloomington, Indiana, a fire consumed the home that Bish shared with harpist Susann McDonald.

Among the many personal possessions lost were a Yamaha grand piano and Rodgers digital organ, but both women escaped without injuries.

Bish also lost most of her signature concert attire in the fire.

Despite a busy schedule of concerts and program tapings, Bish believes in living a well-rounded life.

While practice is important for a musician's success, she has also enjoyed sports and being with friends and family.

She describes herself as a people person and enjoys traveling, fishing, snow skiing, and animals, especially Poodles or Maltese dogs.

When asked if she has any vices, Bish admits to procrastination at times, as well as taking a break from 3 to 4 p.m. to "have a cup of coffee, some chocolate, and I sit with my dog and just enjoy being alive."

As of 2020, she makes her home in Naples, Florida.

Her advice for young musicians is to determine what they want to do and then work hard at it.

It is important to learn good technique with a serious teacher.

It is also important to think about musical interpretation.

She noted, "Don't be a robot – technique is one thing, but without the heart, the soul, the music doesn't touch people."

According to the episode of On the Bench with Dr. Carol, on YouTube, she has a pet named Dietriech.

After graduating with her master's degree, Bish was the organist at the East Heights Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas.

She left for a year to study in Amsterdam, and then returned to the church organist position.

She also taught organ and harpsichord at Friends University for two years, along with continuing to offer concerts and lectures.