A versatile cellist known for her expressive, genre-crossing approach; blending classical training with traditional Scottish music, folk and improvisation. She has performed extensively across solo, chamber, and orchestral music, with a particular focus on eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century repertoire.

 

Alice is known for her careful curation of lesser-known works, bringing neglected or forgotten music to life with clarity, expression, and musical intelligence. Her playing has taken her to the BBC Proms, the Wigmore Hall, Europe and India and she has performed extensively across TV and film. Alice performs in dynamic world music trio Lyre and in highly regarded duo Strathspey Queens, with fiddler Patsy Reid. A sought-after collaborator with artists such as Hannah Peel, Arun Sood, Corto Alto, she has performed on over 100 records to date, bringing depth, sensitivity, and a distinctive voice to every project.

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Alice Allen grew up in Banchory, Aberdeenshire and is now based in rural Stirlingshire. She was formerly young artist with the Scottish Ensemble and has performed live on BBC Radio 3 and Radio Scotland. She has worked with many of the country’s leading performing groups including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble, Concerto Calendonia, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, London Concertante and the Brodick Quartet.

 

Studying with Hannah Roberts (a huge inspiration on Alice's own playing), she graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a first class honours degree (https://www.rncm.ac.uk/alumni-home/meet-our-alumni/strings-alumni/), and holds a Masters in Music with Distinction from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

 

Alice performs on an English Preston School cello, circa. 1780.

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