About
Alison Tatum is a Chicago-based violinist and violist who loves genre-hopping between classical, musical theatre, and folk music. She’s performed at Symphony Center and Carnegie Hall, and in 2020 she composed and performed original music for actor-poet Gregory Geffrard’s TEDx talk, Pangea Poem: Hope in the Face of Fear, which was broadcast internationally.
You’ll often find Alison in the pit at Chicago’s musical theatre houses: she’s served as concertmaster at Music Theater Works since 2023, and played in the band for Porchlight Music Theatre’s Jeff Award winning production of Cabaret in 2022 and their critically acclaimed concert production of Follies in spring 2026. She also appeared onstage as “musician” in Goodman Theatre’s 2019 production of A Christmas Carol. Outside the theatre, Alison plays second violin with the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and Avant Symphony, performs with the string quartet Amethyst Ensemble, and from 2017 to 2019 cofounded and directed Amazonland Chamber Players, a summer chamber music concert series.
“Especially Outstanding”
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review of “Almost Heaven, John Denver’s America” at Theater at the Center in 2020
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Alison holds a Performance Certificate and Master of Music from DePaul University, a Bachelor’s in Violin Performance and Music Theory (summa cum laude) from the University of Missouri, and an MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University. Her teachers include Dr. Olga Dubossarskaya Kaler, Eva Szekely, Edward Dolbashian, Leslie Perna, Dr. Neil Minturn, Dr. Tony Brandolino, and Mary Garcia.
Alison is a certified Suzuki Method instructor with additional training in traditional violin pedagogy, giving her a well-rounded approach for students of all ages and learning styles, whether they’re just starting out or refining advanced technique.
Besides violin and viola, Alison has recently picked up electric bass. When she’s not making music, you can find her cooking, tackling a DIY project, playing board games with friends, or getting outside for a hike, a game of kickball, or some quality hammock time.
