Alison is Co-Principal Oboe in the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Whilst studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Alison was appointed Co Principal Oboe with the Hong Kong Philharmonic orchestra. In 2003 she moved to Cardiff to become the Principal Cor Anglais player for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Winning the Isle of Wight International Oboe competition in 2001 led to her Purcell Room debut and numerous concertos for BBC radio 3 broadcasts, notably Quiet City with Alison Balsom and Spaghetti Western with BBC NOW.
In addition to her career with the BBC Symphony orchestra she is an oboe professor at Guildhall School of Music, freelances with both British and International orchestras, performs solo and chamber recitals and is regularly asked to give masterclasses throughout the UK and Europe.