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   Mezzo –Soprano Allison Swensen is an active singer throughout the United States. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in the world premiere of Taneyev’s Upon Reading a Psalm and sang the title role in Bizet’s Carmen with Syracuse Opera. In May, Ms. Swensen returned to Carnegie Hall to sing Haydn’s In Time of War, and sang three roles with the Portland Opera these past two seasons: Olga Olsen in Kurt Weil’s Street Scene, the role of Bianca in Britten’s Rape of Lucretia, and the role of Mary in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. She is critically acclaimed for her interpretation of Gustav Mahler and has performed many of his works including: Songs of the Wayfarer with Columbia Symphony and Astoria Music Festival, Mahler’s Second Symphony with Eugene Symphony and Spokane Symphony, Mahler’s Third Symphony with Syracuse Symphony and Eugene Symphony, The Ruckert Lieder with the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Kindertoten Lieder with The Salem Chamber Orchestra. In addition, she recorded "The Voice” in Robert Caldwell’s latest edition of The Singer’s Voice educational video series.
   This Fall Ms. Swensen will perform a faculty recital with pianist Anita King at Willamette University, The Brahms Alto Rhapsodie with the Festival Chorale of Oregon, Chansons de Madecasses of Ravel and Debussy’s Chansons de Bilitis with the Willamette Chamber Players, and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Willamette Master Chorus. In February, she will sing Mozart’s Requiem with the Bellevue Philharmonic, and has been invited to sing a solo recital on the Artists Series at Binghamton University in New York in March.
   Ms. Swensen has been a frequent guest artist with Syracuse Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Sarasota Opera and the Syracuse Opera. She has performed with Seattle Symphony, Tacoma Symphony, Yakima Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Portland Opera, The Boston Opera and Marin Opera.
   Achievements include earning first place in the Metropolitan Opera’s Portland District Competition and third place in the Seattle Regional Finals. Other honors include placing as a finalist in the Concert Artist Guild Competition in New York and as third place in the Ellen Faull Gordon Competition in Oregon.
   Ms. Swensen trained at the University of Southern California, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Degree and was named outstanding Graduate. She holds a Master of Music degree from Binghamton University in New York. Currently, Allison serves on the voice faculty at Willamette University where she is also the director of the Opera Workshop.