“Just what new musi
c needs…mad as a hatter, AND completely wonderfuL”
Michael Finnissy
BIO
Alyson Frazier is a London-based orchestral, experimental, and session flautist. She currently holds the position of Associate Second Flute and Piccolo of the Philharmonia Orchestra.
As a freelance orchestral and session musician, Alyson performs with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Royal Scottish National Orchestra among others, and records at Abbey Road Studios.
As an experimental and new music flautist, she has had an active role in the commission and performance of over 100 pieces of new work and was a founding member of award-winning new music group Ensemble x.y (“Formidable” - Iancu Dumitrescu). Her work is featured on albums by Alex Paxton, Riot Ensemble, and Nonclassical, and she has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra’s SoundHub and at the London Contemporary Music Festival.
As a soloist Alyson has been described by composer Michael Finnissy as "just what new music needs...mad as a hatter, and completely wonderful", as well as a “theatrical and compelling performer” (Andy Findon) who is “impressively accomplished with a beautiful singing tone” (Karen Jones).
From 2014-2023, when she wasn’t performing, Alyson co-founded and was Co-Director of Play for Progress, a Croydon-based charity that supports unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people and promotes community resilience through trauma-informed creative engagement in the arts.
Alyson received her MA and LRAM with First Class Honours and Distinction in Flute Performance at the Royal Academy of Music, having studied with Karen Jones, Patricia Morris (piccolo), Lisa Beznousiak (baroque), and Gareth Lockrane (jazz). During her undergraduate studies in the United States, Alyson studied flute and piccolo with Walfrid Kujala and Richard Graef at Northwestern University and graduated with honours. In 2022 she was awarded an associate honour (ARAM) by the Royal Academy of Music.
“Alyson captured a subtle range of colors throughout her beautifully constructed programme with an engaging personality, brilliant execution, and musicianship and flair as a performer.”
CV
Philharmonia Orchestra - Associate Second Flute and Piccolo
Current Position
Awards & Trials
Philharmonia Orchestra - Trial for Principal Piccolo 2022
Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) 2022
British Flute Society Young Artist Prize Winner 2014
Royal Academy of Music Piccolo Competition Prize Winner 2014
Orchestra
Guest Principal Flute
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Aurora Orchestra
London Chamber Orchestra
London Mozart Players
English Chamber Orchestra
Guest Piccolo and Second
Philharmonia Orchestra - Flute, Piccolo
BBC Concert Orchestra - Flute, Piccolo, Alto, Bass
London Symphony Orchestra - Piccolo
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Flute
Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Flute, Piccolo
Royal Northern Sinfonia - Flute, Piccolo
Opera
Garsington Opera - Flute, Piccolo
Grange Park Opera - Flute, Piccolo
Opera Holland Park - Flute, Piccolo
Sessions & Albums
COOL Music Ltd / Gareth Griffiths - Poor Things, Amsterdam, commercial recordings on Principal, Second, Piccolo, Alto, Bass
Philharmonia Orchestra - Shostakovich 6, Till Eulenspiegel, Don Juan on Piccolo
BBC Concert Orchestra - Attenborough Wild Isles, radio plays, assorted albums on Flute, Piccolo, Alto, Bass
Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Flute, Piccolo
Music for Bosch People and ilollipop, 1lolli-pop by Alex Paxton on NMC Recordings - Piccolo
Contemporary
I have extensive experience in commissioning, co-creating, advising on, and researching and developing new work alongside composers, sound artists, performance artists, multidisciplinary artists, and collectives. My creative and performance practice includes the use of all flutes and wind-related instruments including but not limited to: flute, slide flute, baroque flute, recorders, whistles, piccolo, alto, bass, and contrabass flute. I am also comfortable using my voice, body and movement, and improvisation.
Riot Ensemble
Ensemble x.y - Founding Member
London Symphony Orchestra Sound Hub
London Contemporary Orchestra
London Contemporary Music Festival Orchestra
Teaching & Outreach
My campaigning for human rights, immigration policy reform, and trauma informed creative practice in the arts has featured in media by BBC Radio 3 Music Matters with Tom Service, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian among other outlets, as well as numerous panels, exhibitions, and public events.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire - Junior Trinity Flute Teacher
Guildhall School of Music and Drama - Junior Guildhall Deputy Flute Teacher
Lady Elizabeth Holles School - Flute Teacher
Play for Progress - Co-Founder, Co-Director, Workshop Leader
London Philharmonic Orchestra Sound Journeys - Workshop Leader
London Symphony Orchestra Discovery - Workshop Leader
Philharmonia Orchestra - Learning & Education Project Performer
St Albans High School for Girls - Former Peripatetic Flute Teacher
St Mary Magdalene Academy - Former Peripatetic Flute Teacher
Southbank Sinfonia - Co Principal 2017
Britten Pears Orchestra - Piccolo 2016
Royal Academy of Music 2012-2014
MA with First Class Honours (Distinction) and LRAM
Professors Karen Jones, Michael Cox, and Patricia Morris
Other teachers include: Gitte Marcusson, Robert Winn
Northwestern University 2008-2012
BMus Magna Cum Laude (Distinction)
Professors Walfrid Kujala and Richard Graef
Training
“Unusual and most exciting of young musicians”
“Theatrical and compelling performer””
“The atmosphere [created by Alyson’s performance]
was magical, exciting, and riveting.”
ORCHESTRAL & SESSION BOOKING ENQUIRIES:
Musician’s Answering Service
+44 (0) 1306 500000
NEW MUSIC, SAMPLING, & ALBUM CONTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES:
