CONDUCTOR
Described by The Glasgow Herald as having “a succinct conducting style, commanding undivided attention,”
Alison McNeill is an inspiring and versatile conductor celebrated for her dynamic leadership, innovative programming, and deep passion for choral artistry.
Alison is Youth Chorus Master at Opera North, Associate Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Youth Chorus, and Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Scotland’s National Boys Choir (Treble Voices). She is also Director of Coats Choral, who perform the major choral works with the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra in the iconic setting of Paisley Abbey, Director of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Summer Choral Courses, leading intensive training for young singers and conductors from across the UK and beyond and Director of Voices of Argyll, who recently premiered Interwoven — an Indian–Scottish fusion commission for choir, sitar, tabla, and Indian dancer — at the Scottish Parliament. Under Alison’s direction, Voices of Argyll have also performed to sold-out audiences at the O₂ Academy and The Queen’s Hall, collaborating with renowned folk-pop band Beluga Lagoon in powerful, genre-blending performances that showcase her flair for uniting traditional and contemporary styles.
Poulenc Gloria with Glasgow Chamber Orchestra and Coats Choral in Paisley Abbey
Previously, she was founding conductor of the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland’s Boys Choir and led its 100-strong Junior Choir for six years. Under her direction, the choir premiered Claire McCue’s song cycle The Giant Folk and the Wee Folk, celebrating Northern Irish myths and legends and broadcast on BBC Ulster. The choir also gained attention for its creative flashmob tours of Belfast, performing in iconic city landmarks including the Titanic Museum, Ulster Museum, City Hall, Botanic Gardens, and the Ulster Hall.
Internationally, Alison’s growing reputation as a choral leader has led to invitations to Doha, Qatar, where she served as Head Judge for the Qatar Choir of the Year Competition and led workshops for choirs and conductors in both 2024 and 2025.
She has prepared choirs for performances with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and works regularly with singers of all ages and abilities also training soloists to sing for the likes of Danny Elfmann (composer of film scores such as Batman, Beetlejuice and Spiderman). Renowned for her engaging teaching style and deep understanding of vocal technique, ensemble development, and performance practice, Alison is in high demand for choral and vocal workshops across the UK and internationally.
As a passionate advocate for new music and artistic collaboration, Alison regularly commissions and curates new works that fuse cultural influences and art forms.
She has commissioned works that explore the intersection of Western Classical and World music, dance, circus, spoken world, sound design and art installations.
She has taken masterclasses with esteemed conductors Neil Ferris, Christopher Bell and Garry Walker, further refining her expressive and communicative approach to choral direction.