Jamie Alston has loved music from a young age and began performing in her hometown in Upstate New York in her school, church, and community, fostered by amazing music educators. Jamie joined Millennial Choirs and Orchestras in 2009 and served as the MCO Arizona soprano 1 section leader from 2009–2024. She has been featured as a soloist in several MCO concerts and recordings. She is thrilled to be an Artist Diploma Candidate.
Jamie received her BM in choral music education from Arizona State University. While attending ASU on a full scholarship, she was chosen to solo several times in ASU’s top choirs, received first place in N.A.T.S. competition, earning a name for herself in the prestigious vocal performance program.
Jamie also spent a few years living in Topeka, Kansas, with her young family. She sang in the Topeka Festival Singers and became soprano section leader as well as a featured soloist. Jamie also performed in Sounds of the Sabbath in her community and sang leading roles in community musical productions: Menotti’s The Telephone and The Forgotten Carols. Jamie also began teaching a private voice studio and enjoyed teaching singers of all ages helping them find their voice.
Jamie and her husband John now live in Arizona with their three children. She is a featured soloist and recording artist of local composers such as Rob Gardner (Saints and Pioneers), Randy Kartchner (“1856” The Musical), Brett Stewart (“The New Colossus”), Robert Springer (“A Winter’s Ride”), and Brandon Stewart (“Be Still My Soul”). Jamie is a founding member of the local trio Salonnières, having released two albums and currently performing throughout Arizona.
She has enjoyed teaching for over two decades, guiding a studio consisting of group classes for children and private lessons for teenagers and adults as Head of the Vocal Department at Hammer & Strings Conservatory. She has given masterclasses in Arizona, New York, and Idaho, and dedicated four years to conducting a 150-voice church choir that led interfaith community concerts in Queen Creek, Arizona. Jamie was also invited to create the East Valley Youth Chorus and perform with world-famous violinist Jenny Oaks Baker. These 90 talented high schoolers, under her direction, performed at the Mesa Arts Center as part of Joy To the World: A Sacred Music Celebration. Jamie was the vocal coach at Mountain View High School’s Conservatory Program for five years helping high school students earn placement in All-State Jazz, Regionals, and All-State Choirs. Many of her students have gone on to pursue music in colleges and universities throughout the country.
Being a part of MCO has been an incredible experience for Jamie. She has enjoyed sharing the experience and the stage with all three of her children. Singing as part of the choir is a highlight in Jamie’s life, and she is so grateful for the opportunity to be mentored by inspiring directors.
Jamie’s mentors have included Lonnie Arnold (New York), Dr. M. Todd Queen (Eastman School of Music), Judy May (ASU), Dr. Karen Parthun (ASU), AnnMarie Snook (Washburn University), Bartlett Evans (ASU), Brandon Stewart (Arizona), and Mason Schreiber (Arizona).