Fourteen-year-old Diana Monet poses with the Rose Bowl Trophy at St. Barnabas Church on Sunday during the Stars of the Festival.--NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The 2026 Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival’s Rose Bowl win makes for something of a musical dynasty, as young Diana Monet claims the title exactly one year after her elder sister Miriam.
The festival officially came to a close Sunday evening at St. Barnabas Church, following one last evening of performances and awards for the Stars of the Festival.
The younger Monet, aged 14, took home the title after her performance on piano, which included the classic “Claire de Lune” by Debussy.
“I picked the pieces I did because not only are they technically challenging, but they also bring a lot of emotion, which I really enjoyed,” said Monet.
She expressed a pleasant sense of being overwhelmed and surprised by her win, as with so many talented other performers playing alongside her in the Rose Bowl on Friday, she had expected a different outcome. She continued that she feels honoured to be selected from so many amazing musicians.
Monet has been playing piano for roughly 10 years, something her father encouraged her to pursue from a young age. She appreciates it as something she feels she can use to express herself and her personality, though she admits overcoming nerves has been a challenge in the past.
“Just getting into the Rose Bowl was a surprise that I’m really grateful for,” said Monet. “Though I’m even more grateful for my adjudication. I learned a lot from them, and I’m already thinking of what I can do to build on their advice and do even better next year.”
Outside of piano, Monet enjoys a rounded collection of pursuits, which include drawing, fencing and devoting herself to her studies as a student at Medicine Hat High School. Her favourite subjects are mathematics and biology.
To other young pianists, Monet advises them, above all, to simply enjoy the ride.
“Enjoy what you do and make the best of it. Because, in the end, it doesn’t matter how many mistakes you make, it’s just how well you feel to get out there and play,” said Monet.
