Music Industry Veteran Diana Torossian Passes Away

Australian music industry veteran Diana Torossian has passed away.

Torossian was the Director of her own company, DT Talent Management, spent time as the former manager of A&R and Licensing at BMG Music Publishing, and worked at the Australian Songwriters Conference, just to name some of her achievements.

Throughout her illustrious career, Torossian was responsible for discovering, nurturing, and managing some of Australia’s most successful artists and songwriters. In her early days at EMI Music Australia, Torossian signed the likes of the legends we know today: Baby Animals, Hoodoo Gurus, and Diesel.

As well as her time at the labels mentioned above, Torossian’s time at Mushroom Music Publishing, Sony Music Australia, Polygram Music Publishing Australia, Peter Hoyland Management, and being Manager of A&R at BMG Music Publishing Australia had her involved with artists including Powderfinger, Rogue Traders, David Campbell, and many more.

Going independent after leaving BMG, Torossian remained a major player in the Australian music industry, which led to her managing David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii (DNA), the most prolific songwriters in Australia with sales over eight million units, seven #1s and twenty Top 10 chart appearances with hits for The Veronicas, Samantha Jade, Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy, Delta Goodrem and many more.

The Music has heard that Torossian passed away with cancer from those close to her.

Milly Petriella OAM, Music Industry Consultant, said, “It’s heartbreaking news.”

“Even just last week, Di was still working, sending emails — a true force of nature right until the end,” Petriella told The Music.

“Di was more than just a pioneer for women in music; she was a guiding light who navigated the uncharted waters, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for creatives who wouldn’t have had a chance without her support and guidance.

“Di’s unparalleled dedication and passion for nurturing talent have left an indelible mark on the industry. Her influence will be felt for years to come, paving the way for future generations of women in music to follow the path she so brilliantly illuminated.”

Songwriter and producer Glenn W Cunningham described Torossian as “the best” and her passing as a “huge loss”.

Barbara Hannan, a songwriter and producer at the music production studio, The Songstore, remarked: “I signed my first publishing deal with Di. She was a tour de force, held her own with the boys at the top till the very end. RIP my friend.”

Discussing Torossian’s impact with The Music, singer-songwriter Justine Eltakchi (who makes music as a solo artist under the moniker Zemi Gold), told us that Torossian signed her three years ago and had an “enormous impact” on her life and music career.

“Di managed DNA music, myself, Chris Chidiac, Andrew Lowden and Nick Paton,” Eltakchi began.

“I signed with Di three years ago and she had an enormous impact on my life and career. Together, we had songs used on The Voice, Eurovision Australia, an ARIA nomination and worked together on various international writing trips.”

Describing Torossian as a “force,” Eltakchi added that she was “truly passionate about music and the writers she represented. Up until last week, she was sending emails, pursuing song cuts and negotiating deals - her last text to me was that working kept her happy. 

“Di was extremely respected by her peers and had an enormous impact on the Australian music industry, particularly through her work with DNA music (Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci). We will miss her huge presence, her guiding light and her diplomacy in a very challenging industry and in our lives.”

DNA’s Anthony Egizii also shared a post on social media about Torossian, writing that she will live “forever” in the memories of not only himself and his DNA collaborator but all the people she “touched and enlightened throughout your amazing career and personal life.”

Elaborating on Torossian’s impact on his life, Egizii told The Music, “Di was a mother figure in the music industry to me and in many other personal matters outside of music.”

Sharing that her presence in his life was “comforting”, especially after losing his own mother to cancer in 2014, Egizii found that he could continue persevering in music and life with Torossian’s support.

Egizii continued, “She lent me her ears and guided me through difficult times whilst juggling so many music-related obstacles for David and myself. Her infectious voice was something I often needed to hear to regain a sense that everything was going to be ok. She always had a way of seeing the positives in every situation. She was a friend who I always had time for when she needed advice herself.”

Discussing his relationship with Torossian, Musumeci said, “Di was not only the best manager I could ask for, she was one of my best friends.”

Remembering how they would “talk for hours on the phone about music and life,” he recalled it being common for the pair to talk every day, multiple times a day.

“That is something I will miss the most,” Musumeci told The Music. “She was my rock when times were hard and my wings when we were flying high and no one will ever replace her.“

In terms of his career, Musumeci said, “Di put DNA on the map, simple as that. We had been working away trying to break the industry for years but when Di came along she made the needle move in ways we had never seen.

“We enjoyed an incredible 16 years working together and we shared some of the most memorable moments that I’ll cherish forever. Rest easy, my dear friend.”

Peter Karpin from Sony Music Australia, quoting artist David Rosenberg, who became a personal friend of Torossian through music and its impact on our lives, recalled: “Di was One of One.”

In his own words, Karpin remarked, “There was no one like her! Her ability to pick hit songs was second to none. Through her various roles in the music industry, her scorecard of picking and fostering hits and hit artists is one that is rarely achieved in the unpredictable music industry.

“Take, for example, Angels Brought Me Here. Di pitched this song for Guy Sebastian to record as his first single release. It became his career-breaking Number One hit and the most successful song of the decade in the early 2000s!”

Karpin, complimenting Torossian’s “unsurpassed” love for her family, music, and the Carlton Football Club (“I’m surprised she has never had one of her songwriting clients write a song titled Come On The Blues,” Karpin quipped), continued: “Di's wicked wit would have all who knew her well in stitches with her phone calls or over a Yum Cha lunch in Chatswood.

“With her enthusiasm and kindness, she had the wonderful ability to connect people with the right people to the benefit of all. As well as a great professional, she was a great friend to many, many people. Her untimely passing is so sad and such a huge loss. She will be missed as there is now a gap in life and the music business that will not be filled. RIP, my good friend.”