Biography

Alison has had an interest in singing from an early age gaining an A in her music higher from Alford Academy before moving to Aberdeen College where she gained two musical teaching diplomas & a recital diploma alongside her grade 8 music theory. Moving to "God's own county" in 2003 Alison continued her musical training at Leeds College of Music studying with the renowned Mary Plazas & Lynne Dawson, with whom she still studies. Whilst there she gained a BA (hons) in Music Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in the same subject specialising in opera.
Alison's singing engagements have been many and varied ranging from the Countess in Marriage of Figaro to Zerlina in Don Giovanni to Mozart's Vespers. Recent solo engagements have included a last night of the proms-style concert with West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra & Rossini's Messe Solennelle with Morley Music Society - after which they have already booked her to appear in their upcoming Haydn's Creation concert in the 2009/10 season. Bradford Cathedral have booked Alison to appear in their performance of Medelssohn's St Paul in October 2009. Alison is also a valued member of the chamber choir St Peter's Singers under the baton of Dr Simon Lindley and also helps out with the music at St Aidan's Church, Roundhay.
Alison's teaching experience covers many genres and styles. She has trained in the Estill method with the highly acclaimed international tenor Paul Farrington, knows how to use the belting technique widely used in musical theatre, is attending a week at the Nell Bank Musical Theatre School with the noted actor Andy Reiss this summer and has even studied music & the deaf with the Christopher Rowbotham Trust. Equally she is very at home with her first love, Opera, still studying with the internationally renowned Lynne Dawson in York and having participated in various masterclasses run by the National Opera Studio, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama and Opera North. She teaches pupils and small groups of all abilities & ages - indeed having pupils at the moment ranging from a 24 year old beginner to a grade 6 standard 15 year old to a mischevious 8 year old - and is adept at most styles having pupils learning folk, pop, opera, sacred & musical theatre at the moment. She enters pupils into ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall & Rockschool exams as well as teaching pupils singing for fun or working towards a particular role.
As well as taking on private pupils Alison teaches for the Roundhay Music School in Leeds & TheatreTrain in both Huddersfield & Halifax .