Allison DeSalvo founded World of Song Productions in 1992 to unite her love of the performing arts with her love of children and to provide outstanding music concerts, recreational classes and products for children and their families that inspire creative learning, growth and expression. The Early Years Like many, Allison's love of the performing arts began as an aspiring ballerina at the age of three. She received her early training in dance, theater and music while growing up in San Francisco. She studied at the American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco Ballet and took private voice lessons. She went on to complete her formal training at New York University and at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, earning her a BFA in Drama in 1986. The Actress NYU catapulted Allison's career into the professional arena where she performed in numerous music-theater productions Off- Broadway, regionally and in Europe. Some productions include the original Gorey revue, Tinned Lettuce, later retitled Amphigorey, and based on the writings and drawings of Edward Gorey. Her characterization of Mary Rosemarsh and Angelica in subsequent incarnations at American Music Theater Festival, American Repertory Theater, Provincetown REP, Off-B'way at the Perry Street Theater in 1994, and again in 2000 in The Gorey Details at The Century Center for the Performing Arts in NYC, all met with critical acclaim. Allison was an original cast member in the Obie-winning, New York production of Hamletmachine, directed by Robert Wilson, going on to join a seven-city European tour which included London, Paris, and Madrid. Working again with international, avante-guard theater and opera director Robert Wilson, she performed the non-singing title role in his experimental staging of Salome at the renowned opera house La Scala in Milan, Italy that starred Monserrat Caballe. The Singer Allison's passion for classical music motivated her to develop her operatic talent and technique. She sang Neomie in the Music Theater Group's Cinderella-Cendrillon, Anne Bogart's semi-classical adaptation of the Massenet opera that starred opera stars Lauren Flannigan and Joyce Castle. She completed courses in music at the Mannes School of Music's Extension Division, and in 1996 while attending Opera in the Ozarks' summer program received an award for Most Outstanding Achievement by a Studio Artist. Other opera and theater credits include Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, The Pirates of Penzance, Musetta in La Boheme and First Lady in The Magic Flute. She has sung in recitals at the Aspen Music Festival, in Italy and NY City. She has been a student in the Jim Carson Voice Studio since 1994. The Teacher Teaching is a natural extension of Allison's work as a performing artist. Bringing her talents, training and experience to recreational centers for toddlers, arts-in-education programs, private and public schools since 1991 has been rewarding and creatively challenging. She has taught a wide variety of classes for young children from all backgrounds in everything from music, creative movement, story-time, art, gym, ballet, cooking, science, drama and summer mini-camps. At Discovery Programs in NYC where she began teaching children in 1990 she also taught singing, acting and writing for 7 -11 year olds in the Musical Theater Program. The kids experienced performing in an original production called The Singing Forest that Allison wrote, directed and choreographed. In addition she had the opportunity of creating special workshops using music, art and puppetry for children with developmental delays in speech and language and emotional and physical handicaps at Little Meadows and Midwood Early Childhood Centers in Queens and in Brooklyn. The Entrepreneur During this time Allison began producing and performing in her new production company's World of Song Children's Concerts Series for pre-school age children at various venues throughout the New York Area and at private parties. Simultaneously after successfully designing and teaching her own 'Mommie & Me' program of recreational classes for infants and toddlers in Brooklyn for five years she was invited in 1998 to head the Two's program at Grace Church School in Brooklyn Heights where she taught until 2004. Today, she continues to develop new ideas for WOS educational, music programs as well as write songs and stories for future WOS projects. She is an enthusiastic student of the healing arts, studying their connection to early childhood and creative development. The Songwriter Happiness Is All Around You, Allison's debut CD of children's music, featuring a wonderfully colorful collection of traditional and original songs, was released spring 2001. True to her roots, Allison is continuing the inspiration from her childhood, encouraging children through her own music to express their own creativity, while nurturing an appreciation of the arts in a loving spirit of learning and joy. What Teachers and Educators Say About Allison "You bring your gift of music, of love for little children...I see you smiling with a funny engaging puppet, shaking a tambourine, always full of care and a sense of humor." Hope Prosky - Director Grace Church Preschool, Brooklyn, NY "Allison has contagious enthusiasm, creative spirit and a beautiful singing voice. She is inspiring, innovative and capable of making wonderful things happen with a large group of people." Toni Wisti - Coordinator Discovery Programs Recreational Toddler Center, NYC "I have admired her ability to reach each and every child in some positive way. She makes the room come to life." Sherri Hellman - Director Creative Arts Studio, Brooklyn, NY To contact Allison for information about concerts, classes, birthday entertainment or to order a CD click on the appropriate icon and or email: AllisonDeSalvo@worldofsong.com or call 610-566-0319. back to top