Diane Panopoulos's best life

Performer Diane Panopoulos chats about the advice that helped her sing better and the surprise tuna eaten right on the boat.

Describe the best day of your life.
Obviously as a mother the best day was when my daughter was born. All small and fragile. It was the scariest and most amazing day of my life. She is now all grown up and studying Musical Theatre in Sydney. I must have done something right! Right?

What is the best/favourite photograph you have?
Five-and-a-half years ago I married the man of my dreams. This photo is my favourite from our wedding which still feels like yesterday. It was actually the perfect day. Maybe it was a little hot and maybe I was a little late, but apart from that it was perfect.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
It’s quality not quantity. When I applied that to my voice, it actually freed me up to sing more naturally. I didn’t care anymore that my voice wasn’t LOUD all the time. I was able to use the subtleties and experiment with different techniques that I have learned over many years of singing. I am still learning about my voice and what it is capable of.

Describe the best meal you’ve ever eaten.
That’s a hard question as I’ve travelled all over the world and have eaten some amazing dishes as well as here at home. I love cooking now and I must say I’ve impressed myself a few times too. Having said that, I think a particular meal that stands out recently was freshly caught tuna, caught just off Wirrina Cove by Peter and myself as we were trolling for snook. We just happened to hook a tuna! We ate it sashimi style with rice, soy sauce and wasabi on our boat the same day. The freshest seafood I have ever tasted. Simple and delicious.

What are the best qualities of your favourite person?
Honesty, strength, confidence and understanding.

Best five songs on your playlist?
I am an album listener these days and on my list is….. Pink Floyd, Silk Sonic, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Pitch Perfect. I listen to whatever I’m in the mood for. So it could be anything from Diana Ross and the Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, to Pink and Maroon 5.

Diane's final show before retirement comes on September 1, in Eclipse: Pink Floyd Orchestrated.