Alison is the idea person, the proofreader and moral support for Opus Pocus, but there's much more to her than that.

After a rewarding full-time 25-year career in marketing communications and PR management primarily in the software industry, Alison began two new vocations: teaching and volunteerism. She is an Equine Canada-certified English Riding Instructor and achieved her EC Learn To Ride Level 8 in 2007 -- twenty years after taking her first recreational riding lesson.

One of the highlights of Alison's volunteerism was greeting thousands of school children who visited the Canadian Equimania! interactive exhibit during the 2010 AllTech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Her two "boys", Bip and Fantome de Rêves, are the equine members of her family that includes Richard, her Mum, brother, cousins, step-daughter, step-son and the grandchildren of her former spouse. Odyssey has been Alison's faithful feline companion since 1997.

Alison is continuing her equestrian education through the University of Guelph online Equine Science Certificate program.

Alison and Richard met while she was volunteering at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. She is still active in the Ottawa music community as a house manager, team leader, and usher for the ChamberFest and as a media coverage monitor during the first annual Music And Beyond Festival.

Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra is very special to Alison. Initially a volunteer usher, Alison served on the board of directors and as an assistant to the executive director where she gained valuable insights about concert marketing, production, fundraising, sponsorship, box office operations and administration.

From the back row of the National Arts Centre's Southam Hall and the pews of downtown Ottawa churches, Alison often proofreads Richard's concert reviews before he files with the Ottawa Citizen or posts them to Opus Pocus.

Alison is a 2005 Leadership Ottawa alumnus. She graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism (honours) degree in 1975 and from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973.