Ruth has performed with some of the best orchestras here in the south west including: Ten Tors orchestra, British Philharmonic Concert orchestra, Opera South West and the Plymouth Gilbert & Sullivan Fellowship, playing a wide variety of music from opera to contemporary film music. As a soloist Ruth has played at a variety of festivals both locally and in Europe on the flute and piccolo.

In addition to her performing Ruth works at the University of Plymouth and is an experienced and enthusiastic teacher of all ages and abilities. Ruth is passionate about providing excellent teaching and learning opportunities for local flautists. In 2003 she set up 4Flutes (Independent registered charity) to facilitate the continuation of workshops that she had been running bringing international artists the the south west. 4Flutes aims to make opportunities affordable and accessible to all.  www.4flutes.com

Ruth’s most recent venture is “Musical Potential” which aims to further enhance students ability to achieve enjoyment from their music. Teaming up with an experienced cognitive behavioural therapist, Sarah Bateup, they will provide workshops to introduce the use of Cognitive behavioural therapy to enhance potential when practicing, playing and/ or performing. www.musicalpotential.com

Ruth is a talented professional flautist based in Saltash, Cornwall. After graduating with an honours degree in music in 1997 Ruth has studied with Jonathan Snowden and Mike Mower and has also benefited from tuition from Clare Southworth, Nicolas Vallis-Davis and Emma Williams.

In 1995 Alison graduated with honours from Trinity College of Music, London. She was awarded the Grace Wylie Thesis Prize, a college scholarship and a scholarship from the Mary Datchelor Trust to enable her to pursue her Post-Graduate studies. She studied the Guitar with Gilbert Biberian and Nicola Hall and Piano with Raymond Banning. During her time at college Alison also performed on the violin. In July 1997 she was awarded a Distinction in the Post-Graduate Performance Certificate.

Alison taught guitar and coached chamber music at the The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama) from 2002 – 2008 and lectured on Techniques of Teaching for the B Mus Course.

Alison has been supported in her playing career with awards from The Tillet Trust and Oppenheim John-Downes Memorial Trust.  Engagements include the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Norfolk Symphony Orchestra’s Thirty Year Anniversary Celebration, St Martin in the Fields, St James’ Piccadilly, The Bolivar Hall, The Michael Tippett Centre, Queens Theatre, Barnstaple, Dartington, Exeter Cathedral, Edward King House at Lincoln Cathedral, The University of Dundee, Chateau le Risdoux in the Ardennes, Kedleston Hall and Saltram House for The National Trust and Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery International Concert Series. Alison was guest soloist at the Charles May Memorial Concert, Plymouth. She has broadcast on BBC Radio Devon and has also given a live performance on the Iain Anderson Show, BBC Scotland.

Alison has performed at numerous classical guitar festivals including the Prussia Cove Guitar Seminar and The Garcia Biberian International Summer School. Most recently she played at The 2011 Exeter Guitar Summer School, The Ards International Guitar Festival, Belfast and was guest soloist at The West Lothian Guitarfest. Alison has played at six International Guitar Festivals of Great Britain where she received great critical acclaim.

Alison performs a number of new and original works. To date this includes the World Premiere, as dedicatee, of The Peace of God by the American composer Glen Morgan and Autumn Embers by Philip Buttall, the British Premiere of Roberto Sierra’s Primera Cronica del Descubrimiento and Luis Morales Giacoman’s Nueva York,Sepultada por la Iluvia and Enterraste mis Besos.

Alison has recently returned to live in Devon. As well as recitals, she is available to give workshops and master classes and has an excellent rapport with people of all ages. Alison has been involved in outreach work whilst teaching at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, including giving workshops and advising on teaching the guitar on the Isle of Lewis. She has directed a workshop as part of Guitarfest at the University of Strathclyde and was a tutor at The Big Guitar Weekend at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 2007 and 2008. She directed with Steve Gordon a Guitar Ensemble Weekend in Exeter in 2009. Alison is also a teacher of the colourstring method and is an advisor and examiner for colourstring centres in London and Dublin.

Alison also performs as part of Duo Volatus, an exciting and dynamic flute and classical guitar duo with flautist Ruth Ballantyne.

The highly acclaimed British born classical guitarist Alison Smith has been described as one of the most exciting and lyrical guitarists to emerge in recent years. She delights audiences with her fluid technique and expressive playing, performing nationwide and in Europe. Her CD Album titled Recuerdos has been highly successful.