ABOUT THE ARTIST

Allison earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Southeastern University, with primary studies in orchestral percussion and secondary studies in conducting, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Percussion Performance as a Graduate Assistant at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Outside of music, Allison’s interests include weightlifting, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.  

Allison Irene Olds is a percussionist and conductor whose artistry balances clarity, color, and collaboration. Her performances combine technical precision with a deep sensitivity to ensemble sound, shaped by a background that bridges the back of the orchestra and the conductor’s podium.

She has performed numerous times with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra and participated in distinguished summer programs including multiple summers at the Monteux Music Festival at The Pierre Monteux School, the NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar, and the UNF Conducting Symposium. A three-time member of the FMEA All-State Collegiate Band, Allison continues to expand her versatility as both performer and leader. In addition to her orchestral work, she currently serves as principal timpanist and personnel coordinator for Orchestra Speaks, a collaborative project exploring new connections between music and conversation.

An active educator, she served as Drumline Director at George Jenkins High School for four years in Lakeland, Florida, where she led the percussion ensemble in rehearsal and performance. Her experience also included supporting the Southeastern University School of Music as Teaching Assistant to both the Dean and the Director of Bands and Orchestra.