Alison Nicholls thrives on a busy performing schedule as soloist, chamber musician and frequent guest with major orchestras in the United Kingdom and abroad. Widely regarded as one of the finest players of her generation, she has won many national and international awards, including First Prize at the 1994 World Harp Festival Competition, where she was unanimously awarded the Zabaleta Prize and Special Salvi Award. As a soloist she has performed for the UK Harp Association, the American Harp Society, the World Harp Congress, at International Festivals throughout North America and Europe, and as far afield as India, Sri Lanka and the Far East.

Born in Britain, Alison studied at London University and the Juilliard School, New York, where she won a prestigious Juilliard scholarship. She is committed to making music accessible, leading and participating in community outreach and inter-arts projects. Broadcasting credits include both television and radio appearances for the BBC, Classic FM, and American networks.

Alison has made several recordings (for EMI, ASV, Naxos and Meridian), both as soloist and with the chamber ensemble ‘mobius’, of which she is a founding member and co-artistic director. Alison also runs a private teaching studio based in Paris, London and Cambridge.