A chance encounter with an engineering journal changed the life trajectory of Diana Dabby, who was then working as a concert pianist. Now, Dabby uses electrical engineering to innovate musical works that have variation at their center. In this episode, she talks about her career and approach to various projects.

Released on April 3, 2025.

Episode Transcript

Guest

Diana Dabby is a concert pianist, a composer, and an engineer who teaches at Olin College of Engineering, where she is the music program director and a professor of electrical engineering. At Radcliffe, she is working on a potentially disruptive technology for variation of musical works; a “variation concert” in which seat location determines what is heard; and a book about artists with a knack for science.

Related Content

Fellowship Bio: Diana Dabby

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YouTube: Olin Conductorless Orchestra performs Gershwin

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Event: Three-Part Invention: From Lab to Impact

Credits

Ivelisse Estrada is your cohost and the editorial manager at HRI, where she edits Radcliffe Magazine.

Kevin Grady is the multimedia producer at HRI.

Alan Catello Grazioso is your guest host, the executive producer of BornCurious, and the senior multimedia manager at HRI.

Heather Min is your cohost and the senior manager of digital strategy at HRI.

Emerson Prond is a multimedia intern at HRI and a Harvard College student.

Lily Roberts is a multimedia intern at HRI and a Harvard College student.

Anna Soong is the production assistant at HRI.

Special thanks to Cabin 3 Media for their invaluable contributions to the editing of this podcast episode.