Sophie studied Music and Arts Education at Bretton hall, Leeds University, graduating in 2003. She has been working in Leeds and the surrounding areas ever since as a singing teacher, performer, choral conductor and music workshop leader. She was part of the initial research project ‘ Musical Futures’ which investigated why musical students did not engage with music at school. She contributed to resources which have now been used internationally and the findings of the project created changes in secondary music education. In her week she has the pleasure of encouraging music making in people from the age of 9 months – 70+, working mainstream students and those with SEND. She leads the Leeds Playhouse singing group, Asmarina Voices, which is for women asylum seekers and refugees, who inspire her to find new ways of teaching and sharing music effectively and enrich her world with their music and experiences.
She discovered Dalcroze Eurhythmics at a teacher training session in 2007 and has never looked back. It’s approach just felt completely logical and instantly connected with her way of thinking. Through her Dalcroze training she has been able to approach music is a variety of ways and continue to advance her own musicianship. She hopes that students find this different way of learning music as exciting as she does.
MA (Cambridge), MA (Durham), PGCE (Cambridge), Dalcroze Professional Certificate
Alison grew up in West Yorkshire, and studied music at St John’s College, Cambridge and Durham University. Whilst working as a cello and piano teacher, Alison was struck by the creativity and intuitiveness of the Dalcroze approach to music teaching, which explores music through movement, singing and improvisation. This led her to study for the Dalcroze Professional Certificate. Alison is currently studying for an advanced qualification in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, the Dalcroze Licence.
Alison enjoys working with young people of all ages. She has taught Dalcroze Eurhythmics at YYM since 2010, initially on the Leeds programme, and now at the Hull centre. She works with primary school teachers for the Voices Foundation, and has previously taught in various settings for Opera North. Alison’s latest musical adventure is as music teacher for Coram House, the Junior school at Ackworth School, Pontefract.