April 2024
Hello World - my name is Alison. Welcome to my website! I am a musician and teacher living in Oakland. I’ve been a lifelong performer and creator, and lately have been focused on being a studio musician. Writing and recording original music is my passion. I’ve officially arrived at a place in my life where I find myself wanting to be heard more than seen. I have always known myself to be a hermit living a public life, but quarantine showed me that I can be a hermit living a more reclusive life, and still let the creative force flow through. I can teach and maintain my human connections in the world and then I can get swept away in the magic of the recording studio.
And so this is where I find myself in the Spring of 2024: I am a music teacher for Oakland Public Schools (26+ years and counting!), a co-founder of Wild Spirit Community which is a platform to support and connect helpers (launching in June 2021), and I am a recording artist focused on original music. Find me if you’d like to collaborate - I enjoy working with all kinds of people. I love taking commissions and welcome creative projects of all kinds. Even though I’m devoted to a quieter life, I still love doing performances - especially those which involve travel/special events/spiritual gatherings/supporting my friends. If you’re interested in my work in the field of inner-life studies, please visit the Quiet Room Studio tab here on my website. Wild Spirit Community is going to blossom in June 2021 - so more to come with that.
My manager, Alyson, is off in Europe (living the dream!) until the end of May, so communications may be slow, but reach out and let us know what you’ve got in mind. Let’s bring something new into the world!
Love, Alison
P.S. I can’t encourage folks enough to support their favorite artists through their own platforms. I appreciate every purchase, donation, connection, note of appreciation. It makes a huge difference to my life and to my spirit. Thank you! xoxo
Alyson and I have been each other's lives since we were girls growing up in Oakland. We grew up in the same neighborhood! We've had lots of adventures along the way, including creating and working together on Oakland Unified's million dollar MILE grant (MILE = music integrated learning environment) in the early 2000s. Later, Alyson came to study archetypes with me and, as is the way when a great teacher meets a great student - alchemy happened. Alyson soaked up every tool I have to teach in the field of self-study and in so doing, we both started to grow in entirely unforseen ways! We realized that we are both INFJ's living in an extroverted society and that we both have a super strong creative force with the ability to create for the benefit of others. And so voila! Joining forces we've created The Wild Spirit Community which is a network of good people doing good things in the service of others. We also brought to life the Wild Spirit Introvert Network and WIN Media and through this platform Alyson works in service of creatives to help them realize their dreams! Visit her website and get to know her. And if you want to hire me for a collaboration, performance, event or a session reach out to Alyson and she will get the ball rolling!
Q: Will you create and record tracks for my project?
A: Yes. I love recording projects.
Q. Will you soundtrack my film/video?
A. Yes, both Nightsky Mind and Balanosphere make it possible for me to accomplish a variety of musical offerings. Email me with specific details about your project.
Q: Will you travel to perform at my event?
A: Yes. Travel is one of my favorite things about being a musician.
Q: Will you wear themed attire for my event?
A: I prefer not to wear costumes of any kind but am open to consider your request. Bonnets are unlikely.
Q: What ensemble options do you offer?
A: I perform solo and in combos (violins, piano, dobro, lap steel, bass, drums, percussion, oboe, harp, vocals)
Q: Do you teach private music lessons?
A: No.
Q: Do you have a Patreon?
A: No, but I am always grateful for support, and am always very moved by the generousness of my listeners.
Q: How can I help?
A: If the projects I am in resonate with you and you want to offer your energy/resources/support in any way, please reach out to me. I am always delighted to make new connections and to deepen my efforts.
Q. How do I contact you?
A. Contact my manager Alyson Swihart with all inquiries and she will get the ball rolling: https://alysonswihart.com/
Q: Do you teach privately?
A: I work with individual clients through www.quietroomstudio.com. Currently I haven't been taking new clients, but I have a waiting list and I also am happy to give referrals. I also am starting a referral network called Wildspirit Community....stay tuned!
Q: How do I reach you directly about working with you?
Q: Do you still teach for Oakland Public Schools?
A: Yes! I am on my 27th year of service and still loving it! I am currently teaching in OUSD's Young Adult Program where I am a Case Manager and Teacher supporting neurodiverse young adults 18-22 years old. I am passionate about empowering our disabled community to live full lives including the jobs of their dreams. If you are an advocate and want to hire a young adult from my program, reach out! alison.balano@ousd.org
And of course I still teach music. It is woven into everything I do. Oakland Spirit Orchestra is in it's 13th season and is still out there making the world a better place. And I started a music department in the Young Adult Program and it is flourishing. The YAP band and choir performs together with OSO at least once a year and that is such a level of awesomeness that you won't want to miss it the next time it comes around!
Q. How do I contact you?
A. Contact my manager Alyson Swihart with all inquiries and she will get the ball rolling: https://alysonswihart.com/