Alison Gillies began learning the cello at the age of eight, with the Wiltshire County Music service. After receiving several school prizes for musical achievement, she went to study privately with Bruno Schrecker of the Allegri String Quartet. After being awarded a three-year string scholarship, she read for a BMus at Cardiff University, where she was awarded the John Morgan Lloyd prize for meritorious achievement in her final year.
As well as becoming principal cellist of both the symphony and chamber orchestras, Alison was also given the opportunity to perform as soloist in both the Vivaldi double cello concerto and the Saint-Saens cello concerto. After taking a year out, Alison began a two-year MMus programme at Trinity College of Music, where she was offered a scholarship for further study.
It was here that she met her current teacher, Richard Markson, who has had a profound influence on her musical development. As well as playing in Quattro, Alison is working as a freelance cellist in London and is also in demand as a teacher. In May 2003 she will perform the Elgar cello concerto with The South Wales Sinfonia.