Allison Balcetis
Allison Balcetis is a saxophonist living in Edmonton, Alberta in Treaty 6 Territory. As a musician she is drawn to sounds that grab the audience with visceral force or nudge them to lean in deeper, catching ethereal textures. In a world where isolation and loneliness are an epidemic, Allison prefers playing with others, performing both composed and improvised music. Fulfilled by creative partnerships, she plays in several groups including echoradia, where she uses effects pedals on saxophone while improvising with Kelly Ruth on amplified spinning wheel; and Ultraviolet, a mixed instrument quartet focused exclusively on commissioning Canadian composers. For over 10 years Ultraviolet remains Edmonton’s only chamber ensemble to do so. Allison also performs in damn magpies an improvising sextet, avant-jazz combo Blackout Over Rio, indie folk rock band Next Stop, Otago!, and the Edmonton Saxophone Quartet.
Collaborating with living composers is a cornerstone of Allison’s work. Through these partnerships she has premiered over one hundred works that have spoken poignant truths of our shared contemporary life. Highlights include works by Anthony Tan, Heather Hindman, Andriy Talpash, Anna Pidgorna, Jane Berry, and Marcos Balter.
Having taught in the Department of Music at the University of Alberta since 2011 Allison’s great passion is to help students: express themselves maturely on their instrument; interpret others’ compositions with critical thought; and work together effectively and artistically.