Roene B. DiFiore Center for Arts and Education

Roene Bigler DiFiore (1921-1990), affectionately known as "Mrs. D.", was born, grew up and attended schools in Nephi, Utah. Upon graduation from Juab High School she came to Dixie College where her ancestral roots ran very deep in the red Dixie soil. She loved the "Dixie Spirit" she found here. After her graduation she received a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music, but due the beginning of WWII and her marriage she had to set it aside. Dixie needed a sentimental song, so she responded with our now traditional song,' Just For Now." President Ferron Losee invited her to teach at Dixie, specifically to teach the school songs and patriotism. She came and established the Dixie College Program Bureau, the good-will ambassadors of Dixie. She expanded the love of country, church, school, home and the love of fellowmen in every song. For the next twenty years, thousands of young men and women performed for tens of thousands of conventioneers, clubs, groups and reunions. All were impressed with the caliber of "Roene's Kids." Then the payoff started! Her students began teaching music programs just like Roene and taught them. They wanted her music, not realizing that she played most of it by ear. She wanted, as the song goes, "to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony." Today members of the original Program Bureau send their children and grandchildren to Dixie, hoping to catch a glimpse of that great Dixie Spirit they had experienced with Roene.