Allyson Stibbards loves the art of live music. She is principal violist in the Boulder Philharmonic, section member of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra, and core member of the Sphere Ensemble. She also performs with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Sante Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Rossini Club. Allyson is passionate about sharing music with audiences of all ages and in settings both inside and outside of the concert hall. 

Allyson received her education from University of Colorado Boulder and The New England Conservatory. She has spent formative summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Tanglewood Music Festival. While growing up in Longmont, Colorado, she was a part of Boulder Suzuki Strings, Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra (GBYO), and Denver Young Artists Orchestra. She won the GBYO concerto competition and the Longmont Young Artists Concerto Competition in 2014. Her primary teachers are Erika Eckert, Kathy Basrak, Geraldine Walter, and C.J. Chang.

An educator in her own right, Allyson values equity and excellence in her teaching. She has served El Sistema Colorado violists and violinists since 2021 through private lessons, group classes, early childhood classes (ages 3-5), and coaching chamber music. In addition to her work at El Sistema Colorado, she has pursued her Suzuki book training with the guidance of Allen Lieb. Having been a Suzuki student as a child, she has enjoyed reconnecting to the method as a teacher. Allyson believes deeply in the power of music and its ability to connect people to one another and the world.  

During her undergraduate studies, Allyson developed a repetitive strain injury in her bow arm. Although this injury was debilitating for some time, she has worked hard to develop a holistic approach to playing and now maintains a full performance schedule without pain. This approach includes somatic practices such as yoga, Alexander Technique, and Body Mapping. She is currently studying for licensure in Body Mapping. Allyson maintains a private practice helping clients learn to play without pain.