Artists

Biography:

Alison Rayner was born in Adelaide and began playing the violin as a Suzuki student at the age of three. She received her Bachelor of Music Performance from the Elder Conservatorium at the University of Adelaide, studying with Peter Tanfield. During her studies Alison was awarded the Florence Cooke Violin prize and was invited into the Golden Key Society for academic excellence.

Soon after completing her degree Alison was appointed to the first violin section of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Alison has held the position of Associate Principal Second Violin with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and has also appeared as Guest Associate Concertmaster with the ASO. In 2010 Alison joined the first violin section of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, of which she was a member until 2020. During the ten years she lived in Norway Alison appeared regularly with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and was a member of the Fragaria Vesca (“Wild Strawberry”) ensemble, which championed and recorded the music of lesser-known Norwegian composers.

Since returning to live in her home city of Adelaide at the end of 2020, Alison has appeared regularly with Adelaide Baroque and has also performed with the Adelaide Cantata Band, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and the Flinders Quartet.

Alison has been playing with the Australian World Orchestra since 2015.