Music

  • Production still from SERSE
  • french horns
  • choir and orchestra
  • pianist, clarinetist, and violinist
  • violin section of orchestra
  • wind orchestra
  • Jazz Band on stage

Allison Allport

Allison Allport Photo
Associate Professor
Office location:
CY 206

Biography

Allison Allport’s harp music is heard on many movie and television soundtracks including John Williams’ scores to Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Allison’s orchestral schedule includes performances with Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony and Pasadena Symphony.

Allison enjoys playing across many genres. She has recorded albums and performed with bands such as Weezer, The Used, and Lord Huron, and has performed the music of Pierre Boulez on Monday Evening Concerts, the longest-running contemporary music series in the world.

Allison loves to teach. She is on faculty at California State University, Northridge, Azusa Pacific University, and maintains a large private studio. Allison’s harp students consistently receive high marks in evaluation programs such as the ASTA Certificate Advancement Program and participate in ensemble programs such as Junior Chamber Music.

Allison studied harp with JoAnn Turovsky at the University of Southern California, earning a Doctorate of Music in harp performance with minor fields in orchestration, instrumental conducting and music education. At USC, Allison earned several distinctions including a full-tuition scholarship and Outstanding Graduate Award.

Allison’s other honors include winning first prize in the American String Teacher’s Association National Solo Competition. She was a featured soloist at Lyon and Healy Harptacular 2020 and has performed all over the world including at the World Harp Congress in Prague and on a five-city tour of China with Pacific Symphony.

In partnership with Los Angeles County, Allison launched a new harp ensemble class for youth in the summer of 2021. Harp in the Park provides a safe and beautiful natural environment for young harpists to make music together, learn new skills, and socialize with other harpists. Allison was awarded a grant from the American Harp Society to remove financial barriers and allow more students to participate.

Allison believes strongly in serving the musical community. She volunteers as 2nd Vice President in charge of educational programs for the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Harp Society, and is a member of The Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra advisory committee. She served on the Board of Directors of the Recording Musicians Association and American String Teachers Association for many years. In her spare time, Allison loves hiking, teaching her deaf dog, Chip, new tricks, and is working towards her pilot’s license.