Alison Balbag

DR. ALISON BALBAG, PhD, DMA is a double doctor, musician, and gerontologist specializing in health and aging across the lifespan. An outlier in our world, she’s been fortunate to achieve the rare feat of two doctorates in separate fields: Music and Gerontology (i.e., human development and aging).

An award-winning harpist, Dr. Alison’s multi-genre versatility spans classical, jazz, hip-hop, pop rock, global music, and beyond. She’s performed as a featured soloist with orchestras, premiered new works, recorded for film scores, and performed in numerous symphony orchestras, operas, and chamber ensembles. Her TV and radio performances have appeared on ABC, FOX, PBS, Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and Classical KUSC, and include hit shows Modern Family, Glee, and Great Performances.

 A few of the artists she’s performed with are Stevie Wonder, Pink Martini, Natalie Cole, Bobby McFerrin, Burt Bacharach, Itzhak Perlman, Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, Wynonna Judd, Josh Groban, LeVar Burton, Quincy Jones, and Will Ferrell. In addition to being Principal Harp with Rogue Valley Symphony, she’s created award-winning music apps, is the harpist on Google’s MixLab, and performs at the renowned Britt Music & Arts Festival.

​Chair sponsored by Col. Mary J. Mayer, USAF (Ret)