Soprano, Ali Dawson Gibson, is a singer and performer with a varied musical background. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she has been a classical soloist since the age of 16. She studied voice at the University of Colorado, Boulder (BM), and University of North Carolina, School of the Arts, Fletcher Opera Institute (MM), with teachers including Erie Mills, Robert Harrison and Marilyn Taylor. Ms. Gibson also trained at programs such as the Aspen Opera Theater Center, where she studied with Suzanne Menzter and director Ed Berkeley, as well as Lorenzo Malfatti’s I Solisti di Lucca, through the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, based in Italy. While abroad there, Ali took lessons with Benita Valente and performed weekly recitals in the many historic and atmospheric piazze throughout Lucca. Some of Ali’s favorite operatic roles include Zerlina in Don Giovanni, both Hansel and Gretel (separate productions) in Hansel and Gretel, and Giacinta in Mozart’s La Finta Semplice.
Upon moving to New York City, Ali broadened her musical experience to include pursuing a career as Teaching Artist, (or TA). For almost 10 years, she worked passionately in Arts in Education, having had the opportunity to work as a TA for some wonderful organizations including Lincoln Center Education, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, New York City Opera, Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall and The Dreamyard Project. One of the things Ali enjoyed most about being a teaching artist was learning from her students. Such experiences helped her to discover new aspects of what it means to be a performer and songwriter, as she continues to develop her own style and artistry more everyday. Ms. Gibson also enjoys giving voice lessons to students of all ages, levels and musical genres in her private voice studio in Bristol, Vermont, as well as a member of the faculty at the Middlebury Community Music Center.
While in NYC, Ali enjoyed her Lincoln Center debut at the Clark Studio Theater where she wrote, performed and directed Alice Revealed, a showcase of 20th Century music with lyrics by Lewis Carroll. She was also pleased to produce and perform in the benefit concert, Summer Song Saving Lives, in conjunction with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which gathered singers of all types, including classical, jazz and gospel.
In the Summer of 2013, Ali and her family moved to the glorious state of Vermont, where she continues to teach and sing. Since moving to the Green Mountains, Ali co-founded Middlebury Song Fest, where she was honored to be both the producer and director, as well as a performer along side a handful of other Vermont based musicians including Cynthia Huard (co-founder), The Rev. Françios Clemmons, Sadie Brightman, Sarah Cullins and Mary Bonhag.
Above all, Ali is honored to be raising her 10-year-old son with her wonderful husband, and to be on a new journey as an entrepreneur, running a healing business and song writing with musical partner, Dayve Huckett.