Alison Wells

Alison Wells recently returned to the UK after many years in the United States, where she was on the faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Peabody Institute. Before that she taught at Trinity College of Music and The Purcell School in London and on the specialist music scheme at Wells. A graduate of Cambridge University, the Royal Academy of Music, and Yale University, she studied with Ralph Kirshbaum, David Strange and Aldo Parisot. She made her South Bank recital debut in 1989, supported by the Maisie Lewis Charitable Trust. Ms Wells was a founder member of the Pirasti Trio, performing throughout the UK, Europe and the USA, and recording for ASV. In the summers she participates in festivals in the USA, returning to the Heifetz International Institute for many years, and, more recently, to the Madeline Island and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festivals. She is passionate about teaching and the physiology of cello playing and has been involved with many technique workshops, including annual contributions to the Aria International Festival. Former pupils have been winners at competitions internationally and hold positions in orchestras across the world.

Ms Wells is an advocate for increasing access to musical training. She was involved with several inner city initiatives in Baltimore and served as Chair of the Board of TUBA: The Uganda-Baltimore Alliance, providing mentorship to a brass band project in rural Uganda.