Allyson Gray Michal

Allyson was one of our featured musicians from our original “Musicians are People Too”. We are grateful that she is willing to share her update today.

THEN: Allyson plays violin in Portland Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and played regularly with the Cincinnati Symphony before the pandemic. Her husband plays horn in various groups in New England and teaches at U Mass Amherst. Both are highly sought after players, and even after welcoming a new baby into their family, they were both playing concerts every weekend throughout New England.

NOW: The gigs disappeared overnight. Performing brought in over half their income pre-COVID, so Allyson and her family are scrambling to get by. Allyson writes “It took months to finally get qualified for unemployment, and now my unemployment has been on hold for the last two months waiting for an adjudicator to review my file. “ Allyson is now in school full time, pursuing a career outside music. She spends her days trying to entertain a toddler while taking a full course load of classes online, and expects to have to add a part time job on top of it if her unemployment doesn’t come in soon.

HOPE: Allyson expects that she will have to pursue a second career, but hopes that performing can still be part of her life if and when her orchestras go back to work.

Allyson in the pit for Broadway’s Cinderella tour

Allyson’s violin waits in the background as Allyson studies and attends online courses towards a second career.