Supported by Alison Thomson

Alanna joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2019.

She graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Shepherd School of Music, Rice University.

Alanna was previously a Fellow with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for two years, and the Tanglewood Music Center for two seasons. Her primary teachers include Scott Pingle, Timothy Pitts, Paul Ellison and Alex Henery.

Although born in the United States, Alanna grew up in the far north of New Zealand. She is a proud alumnus of iconic New Zealand music programmes, including Whangarei Youth Music, Auckland Youth Orchestra and the NZSO National Youth Orchestra.

A passionate educator, Alanna teaches all ages and levels but has a particular passion for teaching youngsters the double bass. She was a gymnastics coach for twenty years and has an acute awareness of biomechanics and anatomy. This has inspired an ergonomic approach to the bass, enabling students to access their full playing potential.

Alanna is a co-founder of the Wellington Music Education Trust.

My bass was made in France in 1884 by Gabriel Jacquet. 'Betty' sailed to Oriental Bay, Wellington, from the UK back in the 60's with her previous owner and made her way to me in 2018. She has the most beautiful dark cracked varnish that reminds me of my old Lindeman piano I played as a child.