Allison Ernst

Dr. Allison Ernst is a dedicated and passionate performer and teacher. Her work as a pianist has taken her all over the United States, performing solo, chamber, and concerto works. She has also competed in the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition and the Bay Area Piano Competition. An avid leader within music education, she serves as the Newsletter Editor for Tennessee Music Teachers Association, Treasurer for the Nashville Area Music Teachers Association, and as an adjudicator for piano festivals around Nashville. She is the owner and founder of Dr. Allison’s Piano Studio, previously known as Aunt Ali’s Music Studio. She also held a position as Adjunct Professor of Music for three academic years at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee.

Allison’s commitment to serving the community through musical performances has inspired her to create two projects, which include The Riverside Arts Walk Concert Series and The Mission Inn Concert Series. She continues to perform free events through her newest community outreach program, The Music City House Concert Series. Creating a greater sense of community through the power of music remains central to her ideals in all the roles that she plays. As a scholar, she plans to publish her latest research entitled, “Playing with Time: Understanding and Notating Tempo Rubato,” in the next issue of the academic journal Historical Performance Practices.

Originally from Kalispell, Montana, Allison received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Historical Performance Practices from Claremont Graduate University, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from California Baptist University, and a Bachelor of Arts-Music from Seattle University. Her primary teachers include Jenny Soonjin Kim, Tina Kouratachvili, and Kay Lund.

When not practicing or teaching piano, Allison loves to travel, swim, and cook new recipes with her husband.