Alison has grown up in a family where music is appreciated. Her dad enjoys teaching himself different instruments which provided Alison with the opportunity to try out various instruments. She soon started playing the piano and violin. By the time she was eleven, her parents offered to pay for music lessons for one instrument; she chose the violin.
The violin teacher Alison wanted to take lessons from, Mrs. Francisco, had a waiting list, so Alison made other arrangements for lessons. Several of Alison’s friends were students of Mrs. Francisco and knew how much Alison would benefit from lessons with her, so they arranged to shorten their lessons allowing Alison to fit in Mrs. Francisco’s teaching schedule.
Four-and-a-half years later Alison is still taking violin lessons from Mrs. Francisco and has started playing the viola too. Alison now has the experience to give her dad instruction when he plays and has started teaching her mother how to play the violin.
Alison’s love of music and playing has continued to grow over the years. Using music as a ministry is a special interest of hers. Alison combines her love of playing and interest in music ministry when she plays at Hope Twinkles, a yearly fundraising event to help those affected by natural disasters. In December 2020, Hope Twinkles played and raised money in support of the Samaritan Center’s food pantry.
Hope Twinkles combines two of Alison’s favorite activities: playing music with others and using music as a ministry.
In addition to participating in Hope Twinkles events, Alison desired to do more to support their fundraising. With the help of family, she created her own GoFundMe page. Alison raised more than one thousand dollars, which includes a donation from a stranger in England who was impressed with her passion for using music to make a difference in the lives of others.
“I play because I love it,” Alison shares. She plans to continue playing her violin and viola in string groups and looks forward to more opportunities to play music as a ministry.