Colleen d'Alelio
Cellist, Writer, Teacher, Composer, Studio Musician...
Welcome to my digital portfolio. I am a working and touring musician based in Knoxville, TN. I have experience in classical music, teaching, songwriting for folk and other genres, composition, mixing for live sound, at-home and in-person studio work, weddings, performance, writing, recording, and more. I have been a musician for over 21 years, working professionally since 2020. I bring kindness, patience, and a spirit of collaboration to everything I do, and would love to help you with your next project.
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Examples and descriptions of my work below— please reach out if you have any questions :)
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Education:
Bachelor's in Music with an Outside Field in Writing
Ithaca College, May 2020
Primary Projects & Performance
I currently tour with Redd & the Paper Flowers, a "living-room folk" band based in Knoxville, TN.
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You can see all of our music, up-coming shows, and content on our website.
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Personal responsibilities in the band include:
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Merch graphic design and inventory management
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Live-sound mixing
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Patreon audience and "perks" management (direct mail marketing and online content)
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Along with other members: write music, record tracks, give feedback to producers, plan and manage tours, promote shows, and perform across the country.
I also perform in a variety of genres through various gigs and projects. I perform classical music regularly with the Brevard Philharmonic, original music in an act called Stranger May, and sit in with local singer-songwriters and musicians around Knoxville, TN.
I was recently named one of the seven winners in the state for the Tennessee Songwriter's Week songwriting competition. As a result, I had the opportunity to play at the historic Bluebird Cafe.
I have been blessed to play a number of incredible venues around Tennessee, including the Tennessee Theatre, the Bijou Theatre, and at World's Fair Park as a professional leader for a Big Ears sponsored event.
Photo by Hunter Berry
Recording & Studio Work
Singer-songwriters and other musicians who I have recorded or performed studio work for include:
All discography of Redd & the Paper Flowers
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Kelsi Walker - the Album Here and Here Before, on the tracks: World Ending Waltz, Kitchen Dance, Shoes, and Here Before
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mikuljoanz - Unbroken, Lucky Guy, Everloving Light, Bermuda Moon
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The Alternates - Like a Feather
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Becki Grace - Christmas Mourn
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and many others!​​​​​​​​​
Previous personal recording projects include the Stranger May album Self-Titled — available on all streaming platforms as of May 2022. I produced all the artwork for the album, and wrote and arranged each track. I recorded vocals, cello, guitar, bass, and a few keyboard parts for all tracks. Overall project produced by David Shane.
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Check out one of those tracks below:
Teaching Experience
I am passionate about teaching private lessons, and helping my students find joy through music. Much of my teaching philosophy revolves around building confidence with the instrument, and prioritizing a sense of exploration and play. While I specialize in private cello lessons, I have experience with beginner guitar, beginner-intermediate piano, and pre-school general music. My 35+ students have ranged from ages 2 - 65.
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Touring across the country means I am only able to keep a handful of independent students at the moment, but I have previously taught at two other Knoxville Music Schools:
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I also work for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. I assist conductors and students through rehearsal, tune instruments, lead sectional rehearsals, and act as a counselor and teacher for summer camp.
Audio Samples
I love to get involved in new audio and recording projects! Here are some clips of my work:
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Music w/ Poetry by Steve Wildsmith (Created for Healing Appalachia)
I participated in a project put forth by the organization Healing Appalachia, which connected the poetry of addiction survivors with music accompaniment from musicians living in the Appalachian region.
(Trigger warning: Gun violence, suicide, drug use)
Cello Stem from Kelsi Walker's "Here Before"
Piece of session work recorded for Kelsi Walker's album, Here and Here Before produced by Red Moon Sound
Live Performance at Red Moon Studios
Featuring Katie Adams on upright bass, recorded in February of 2023
