Alana Richardson is Director of Education at the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, sharing the power of music with over 35,000 students and teachers across Southern Arizona each year. Alana began playing double bass in fourth grade after a string quintet visited her school, so she knows that music can transform lives, and aims to do so through TSO’s 7 education programs. Alana loves connecting with local and international communities through music, performing in programs including Gramado International Music Festival in Brazil, Purple Bamboo Chinese Music Ensemble at the University of Arizona, and most recently, a South Africa tour with the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra.

A graduate of Kalamazoo College, Alana earned her Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies with a Music minor, and studied abroad at Beijing Language and Culture University. She spends her time outside of work traveling, salsa dancing, cooking Chinese food, and hanging out with her dog.