Jacksonville University sophomore Barbara Kovalevich ’27 is making waves in the music world with her latest release, "Tornado." Performing under her stage name, Diah, Kovalevich’s new single blends pop and rock genres and has already captured the attention of many ahead of its official release
"Tornado" was inspired by her personal experiences with bullying during middle school. "Instead of suffering and being depressed, I decided to create a song that would encourage people to be strong, let a tough situation go, and move forward," said Kovalevich. The initial version of "Tornado" was recorded in Belarus during a summer break and later refined with the help of Jacksonville University's resources and community.
Kovalevich’s love for music began at a young age. "Music has always been a great part of me," she recalls. "In childhood, I accurately intoned 'Largo al factotum,' although I couldn’t even speak." Her first performance, at the age of four, in front of a crowd of hundreds, was a clear indicator of her talent and passion.
Her formal musical education began at Music School No. 8 Named After G.R. Shirma in her hometown of Minsk, Belarus. There, she composed her first pieces of music and participated in various concerts and competitions, including those held at the Belarusian State Philharmonic and the P. Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow.
After graduating from music school, Kovalevich began to pursue her music career as a pop singer and songwriter. Under her stage name, she has created more than fifteen songs, six of which are available on major digital platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Her song "Cozy," released in 2020, won the Grand Prix at the International Grand Festival in Pesaro, Italy, and was celebrated for its comforting vibes and universal theme of love.
Looking ahead, Kovalevich aims to become a songwriter and sound producer in the film production industry. Her current studies as a Music Technology major with a minor in Entrepreneurship at JU are equipping her with the skills needed to excel both in audio production and the business side of the music industry.
Kovelevich says that Jacksonville University has played a pivotal role in her musical journey. As a singer-songwriter for the university’s student-run record label, Dolphinium Records, she frequently performs at live events, creates original songs, and collaborates with fellow students.
The first recorded version of "Tornado" was made in JU's recording studio and published on the Dolphinium Records’ CD (the version just released was recorded this summer in Minsk). The live performance of "Tornado" at Porter Fest in Spring 2024 garnered enthusiastic feedback, further motivating her to release a new version of the song on streaming platforms.
“Jacksonville University is an amazing place for me as a musician, since there are a lot of collaborating, performing and hands-on learning opportunities that encourage me to become a great professional in the music industry,” she shared.
Listen now
"Tornado" is streaming now on the following platforms:
