Voice

Education

BA, Jazz Studies/Vocal Concentration
​University of North Texas

Alison Wedding

"At the core of my music/teaching philosophy is my desire to encourage students to quiet any limiting beliefs that may come up during a performance, therefore enabling them to be truly present in the moment.  This frees them to push beyond their creative boundaries, and makes each performance an exciting journey, not only for them as the performer, but for the listener as well.”


Alison Wedding began her music career at age two, singing for family and friends in church and at home. But it was not until she walked into a jazz ensemble at her fine arts high school in Dallas, Texas, that she first discovered her love for jazz. The harmonies, chord progressions, and rhythms fascinated her. She listened constantly to horn players, learning their solos, and with the help of her mentor Dave Alexander, Alison began to explore improvisation which now has become one of her greatest skills. Her early influences included vocalists Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and horn players Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Michael Brecker. She went on to study jazz at the University of North Texas under the guidance of Paris Rutherford and began to sing professionally in the Dallas area. One of her career highlights was singing with the One O'clock Lab Band with the late Gerry Mulligan. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies,  Alison moved to Los Angeles to further develop her career. There she spent four years performing professionally, both live and in the studio, as well as teaching voice and piano. Career highlights included touring as a back-up singer with Kevyn Lettau and recording with artists such as Andy Summers (formerly of The Police) on his CD Peggy's Blue Skylight.

After moving to Australia in January 2001, in addition to teaching at major music schools in Melbourne, she was fortunate to play with amazing musicians including Sam Keevers, Jamie Oehlers, Colin Hopkins, Peter Knight, Bob Sedergreen, Joe Chindamo, Kate Ceberano, and Richard Clapton. Alison's first solo CD, The Secret, was released in September, 2003, on the ABC Jazz label. She toured Australia celebrating this release, and shortly thereafter, The Secret went on to win the 2004 Bell Award for the Best Vocal Jazz Album in Australia. Alison’s second CD , Sometimes I Feel, was released on the label Jazzhead in October 2005. This album consisting entirely of her original compositions was a more modern departure from her previous acoustic release. Later that same year, Alison was named a semifinalist at the Wangaratta Jazz Competition, and the following year she won the Gibson-May award at the London International Vocal Jazz Competition. It was during this time that Alison met and began studying with master vocal improvisation teacher and singer, Rhiannon. Alison's association and work with Rhiannon changed her approach to her own music, her improvisation, and her teaching.

Alison moved back to the U.S. in 2007, choosing NY as her new base to continue her musical journey. There, as both a solo artist and background singer, she  performed at various venues including Rockwood Music Hall, Cornelia St. Cafe, and The 55 Bar.  Her 4th album, This Dance, featuring strings and special guests Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke, and Theo Bleckmann, was released on the GroundUP label in May 2012. Also, she toured multiple times as an opening act for the three time Grammy award-winning group, Snarky Puppy.

​In the fall of 2008, Alison joined the faculty of Berklee College of Music as an assistant professor in the Voice Department where she taught for the past eleven years. While still in New York, Alison also began studying with Jeanie Lovetri, the creator of Somatic Voicework,  and eventually became certified in all three levels of this method. After relocating to Chicago in June 2015, she joined the team at Davin Youngs Voice as an associate voice teacher and soon after became a facilitator with Voxus, a ground-breaking company specializing in unique corporate team building experiences. Alison  moved from the Austin, Texas area to Miami to join the Frost School of Music faculty as a Jazz Lecturer in 2019, teaching Jazz Ear Training, Jazz piano, Voice lessons, and small ensembles.  Alison’s latest album, On The Brink, was released in November 2019 on the Chicago Based label Flood Music.
The Dallas School of Music
Best music education in North Texas by CBS DFW, D Magazine and Dallas Child Magazine