About

Diane Uniman

My name is Diane Frances Young Uniman and I’m a non-recovering laughoholic. Even though I laugh more than a hyena on helium, I’m a serious creative and student of life. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Pennsylvania, went on to Seton Hall Law School, and became a criminal justice appeals attorney. I focus mostly on writing and speaking these days. My work as playwright, screenwriter, and lyricist (composer Kevin M. Cotter) has been featured in a number of prestigious venues and events, such as “Broadway’s Future Songbook Series,” a concert of new music by Broadway composers and lyricists sung by Broadway vocalists, Presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul and directed by John Znidarsic at New York’s Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. My work has also been featured at their “Broadway’s Annual Holiday Songbook Series,” a concert of new holiday music by Broadway composers and lyricists sung by Broadway vocalists at New York’s Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

The musical TINK!…Off the Hook was accepted into the prestigious FRINGE/NYC Festival. A song from the score of my screenplay Pyramid Scheme won “Top Ten Songs” Finalist in Tony Award-Winning producer Ken Davenport’s song contest and was performed by Broadway Star Hannah Ellis. I’m also the recipient of an ASCAP writing award.

I’m having a blast writing from my heart and soul, seeing my projects come to life, knowing that other people are excited about my projects too.  My screenplay and musicals (Composer Kevin M. Cotter) have won over fifty film festivals including:

 LA Film and Script Festival- Winner Best Comedy Script (Admission Impossible) ; The Indie Gathering – Winner Best Musical Feature (TINK!…Off the Hook (formerly TINK!)); Gloria International Film Festival – Winner Best Screenplay (TINK!…Off the Hook); Moondance International Film Festival – Winner Best Stage Play and Libretto (TINK!…Off the Hook); Pocono Mountain Film Festival- Winner Best Script (Triangle 146);  The Indie Gathering – Winner Best Screenplay Comedy (Pyramid Scheme).

The musical Triangle 146 was selected for production of an excerpt in Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival competition.  The feature version of the show was selected as a finalist for inclusion in Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport’s Rave Theater (cancelled due to Covid 19.)

I’ve also collaborated with rock star Glen Burtnik (of the rock band Styx) published with Warner/Chappell Music.  My poetry won the tri-state New Jersey Dramatists’ Award and I was a featured poet at The Painted Bride Poetry Festival in Philadelphia.  I was a singer/songwriter in the New Jersey Children’s Opry.  I’m also a flutist, an opera singer, and I sang in the New Jersey State Opera Chorus under Maestro Silipigni. I am also an advanced student at the New York branch of the School of Practical Philosophy.

Just for kicks and giggles you should also know that I’m an inveterate pontificator, irrepressible punster…and thought-provoking princess!

Say what? Read on!

When I’m not writing screenplays and musicals I don my tiara as Princess Diane Von Brainisfried, author, speaker, blogger, and purveyor of private sector and corporate seminars on Happiness, Optimism and Positivity. My palace address is www.princessdianevonb.com. My new book under my princess moniker is Bonjour, Breast Cancer— I’m Still Smiling! …Wit, Wisdom, and Optimism for Beating the Breast Cancer Blues. As a breast cancer survivor I’m thrilled to be able to help others with my book, which has garnered numerous awards including winning the Independent Authors Network Book of the Year award for Outstanding Non-Fiction.

And that’s all just for starters!

Kevin M. Cotter 

(Composer)

Every great musical has a great composer behind it….and that’s where Kevin Cotter comes in! Kevin was born in Buffalo, New York and is a graduate of Princeton University, where he won the prestigious senior thesis prize for his work in genetics. Kevin’s passion for music led him to become a concert pianist and composer whose performances focus on classical improvisation. Kevin had some formal training; however, he is largely self-taught. Kevin’s concerts are known to offer a unique experience. He takes the listener on a melodic journey using chord progressions and layering of sounds both recognizable and original, and within a classical framework, the music ranges from jazz to pop to classical and back. The improvisational aspect creates an actual exchange with the general atmosphere and perceived mood of the crowd in each individual performance. He has performed his original compositions in notable venues such as Cami Hall, Princeton University, and The Ukrainian Institute of America and for U.S. Olympic fundraisers. Kevin has produced numerous CD’s.

Kevin went on to become a two-time Olympian (‘96 and 2000) and gold medalist World Champion in rowing. Kevin coached lightweight rowing at Princeton and continues to guest coach. He was a Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving at Princeton and is currently a Co-Founder RainMaker WebApp at Princeton Fundraising Partners.

Kevin’s work as composer on HarMaxi projects has been featured in a number of prestigious venues, such as “Broadway’s Future Songbook Series,” a concert of new music by Broadway composers and lyricists sung by Broadway vocalists, Presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul and directed by John Znidarsic at New York’s Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. His work has also been featured at their “Broadway’s Annual Holiday Songbook Series,” a concert of new holiday music by Broadway composers and lyricists sung by Broadway vocalists at New York’s Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

The musical TINK!…Off the Hook was accepted into the prestigious FRINGE/NYC Festival. The musical Triangle 146 was selected for production of an excerpt in Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival competition. 

Kevin’s work on HarMaxi’s projects has won numerous awards, including:

Garden State International Film Festival Winner Best Music in a Feature (TINK!…Off the Hook (formerly TINK!));The Indie Gathering- Winner Best Musical Feature (TINK!…Off the Hook); Buffalo/Niagara International Film Festival- Finalist Best Score  (TINK!…Off the Hook); Action On International Film Festival- Finalist Best Score (TINK!…Off the Hook); Moondance International Film Festival- Finalist Best Score (Pyramid Scheme); Tony Award-Winning producer Ken Davenport’s song contest – Finalist (“Could it Be Me” Pyramid Scheme theme Song); Tony Award-Winning producer Ken Davenport’s  RAVE theater festival – Finalist (Triangle 146) Cancelled due to Covid 19).