Violinist Alison Tatum is an active freelance performer, educator, and arts entrepreneur in the Chicago area with a reputation for facility in both classical and folk genres. She has performed at Symphony Center in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York. Alison is a founding member of Amazonland Chamber Players, with whom she presents an annual summer concert series, and has operated and performed with the string quartet Amethyst Ensemble since 2013. In addition, Alison is a member of Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.  

 Alison loves live theatre and is often found in the pit at various musical theatre establishments around Chicago, including Theatre at the Center and Porchlight Music Theatre. Stage credits include the role of “musician” in the Goodman Theatre’s 2019 production of A Christmas Carol.

Alison began her musical studies at a young age in her native Kansas City, Missouri. She holds a Performance Certificate and a Master of Music degree from DePaul University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance and Music Theory from the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she graduated summa cum laude. Her teachers include Dr. Olga Dubossarskaya Kaler, Eva Szekely, Edward Dolbashian, Leslie Perna, Dr. Neil Minturn, Dr. Tony Brandolino, and Mary Garcia. Alison is a current student at Northwestern University earning an MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises.

In addition to violin, Alison also plays viola, and has recently taken up electric bass and pool (billiards, not swimming). She also enjoys cooking and baking, playing board games with friends, DIY projects, and spending as much time as possible enjoying the outdoors.

 In all her work, her mission is "To build community through music. To promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and social impact through the arts."

Alison is a certified Suzuki Method Instructor and has also been trained in methods of traditional violin pedagogy. To learn more about private violin lessons with Alison, please visit her website, www.alisontatum.com.