Alison Perkins

Alison is one of the brightest young stars on the Detroit Irish music scene. At 19, she is a skilled musician, singer and charming entertainer.

Alison grew up in a household full of music. She started singing at the tender age of eight. winning competitions at local feisianna. At the age of ten she began to play the tin whistle, taught by her father Jim Perkins. At twelve she began to take fiddle lessons from Clare man, Mick Gavin and later with friend and bandmate Marty Somberg.

At age thirteen she began teaching tin whistle to young children for the Detroit IMA (Irish Music Association), the Detroit branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and is one of the most popular teacher for students of whistle and fiddle.

Alison also plays with music groups in Irish music competitions, a performer in the award-winning Detroit Grupa Cheoil, coached by bandmate Terence McKinney in 2002 and 2003 and 2005.

She also played in and coached a senior level Grupa Cheoil in 2004, called Strayaway Child. She is currently a member of the infamous Detroit Senior Ceili Band, along with Terence, her brother Asher, and her father Jim, as well as other respected Detroit musicians of the Detroit IMA.

Alison's mesmerizing fiddle and whistle playing is invaluble to Finvarra's Wren's sound. She also brings her undeniable talent as a singer to the band, singing both harmonies and lead .

Hear one of her original tunes (called Terence McKinney's Favorite) from

Hear her here with Finvarra's Wren.

VIDEO

Alison performing at the All-Ireland Competitions in Donegal, Ireland.

Alison has won 1st place on fiddle at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil (Irish Music Competitions) for the past four years and has also won contests for traditional Irish singing and whistle.

She now passes her knowledge on to her own students and is available for teaching tin whistle, fiddle, and studio recording,