Allison Olsson - Artistic Director

Allison Olsson began her career as a church musician at the age of seventeen when she became the organist and pianist at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church in Bellaire, Texas. Since then she has sustained a successful career as a church music director, music teacher, pianist, singer, and choral conductor.

Allison received a scholarship to Houston Baptist University where she majored in Piano Performance and minored in Organ, as a student of Dr. Lewis Zailer. Her advisor and mentor, Dr. Roberto Eyzaguierre, also influenced her tremendously. While in college, Allison sang with a professional Madrigal Choir, furthering her passion for a cappella singing. Allison studied Organ Performance with Dr. Martha Sanford at CU in Boulder from 1985 to 1987. Each summer she continues her studies in choral conducting technique at Westminster Choir College's Conducting Institute.

An injury to Allison's right arm in 1996 necessitated retraining her piano technique. She studied at the Taubman Institute from 1997 through 2002. In 2002 Allison began to study with Well-Balanced Pianist founder, Teresa Dybvig and Well-Balanced Pianist faculty member, Susan Nowicki. Allison remains actively involved in studies with the Well-Balanced Pianist and has helped to host Well-Balanced Pianist Colorado each summer since 2006. Allison maintains a piano teaching studio of about thirty students, many of whom have also become involved the Well-Balanced Pianist work.

Allison is currently Music Director and Organist at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Lakewood, where she has been since 2008. She played organ and piano at many area churches from 1997 through 2008 while she was retraining her playing technique. Allison was Music Director, Choir Director and Organist at Calvary Episcopal Church in Golden from 1986 until 1997 where she built a large and thriving program.

Allison also performs as a solo and choral singer, and a collaborative pianist. In May of 2010, she sang featured roles in Confluence' s Night with Richard Fitzgerald Concert. In 2007 she sang soprano solos in Carmina Burana with the Timberline Orchestra and the Golden Concert Choir. She also prepared the adult's and children's choirs for that production. In 2000 to 2004, Allison sang and toured in Italy with The Musicians of St. Clare. During those years she sang solos and quartets from Handel's Messiah, Pinkham's Wedding Cantata, and Palestrina's Tu Es Petrus Mass among other rep.

Allison was a founding member of the Golden Concert Choir and went on to direct it during the 2006-2007 concert Season. She also founded the Golden Children's Choir and directed it for six successful seasons. In 2006, Allison and some interested singers founded Confluence. In her work with Confluence, Allison has collaborated with several composers. In May of 2010, she and Confluence successfully premiered several compositions by Richard Fitzgerald, including their commissioned piece, Let Beauty Awake.