2025 Update – Tenor Guitar Gathering, Hellbenders, Virtual Lessons and more!

March 11, 2025

Hello friends!

I am excited to announce that I’ll be performing at the 15th annual Tenor Guitar Gathering at the end of May, along with an incredible lineup of musicians from around the country. The schedule is still being finalized, but there will be jams all weekend, a radio show, evening concerts, and I’ll be giving a workshop on the neuroscience of practice. If you’re looking for an excuse to get away for a coastal adventure, this is your chance! May 30th and 31st in Astoria, OR. Learn more at www.tenorguitar.org 🌊

For the last year I’ve been trying to finish recording an album, and I’m so close! Stay tuned for that in the near future.

I’ve been thrilled to play some gigs around Eugene, OR with my friend Valentine Bentz, a very talented guitarist and songwriter. We call ourselves the Hellbenders, a play on our last names and also the name of North America’s largest salamander! I need to be better about keeping my website updated with gig announcements…. But if you have an Instagram or Facebook, give me a follow there for good measure. If something comes up last minute, I’m more likely to post it there. You can find me at @alisonhelzermusic and Valentine at @jvalbentz.

Finally, I’ve been getting back into teaching lessons over the past year. It really is a rewarding experience, and I would love to take on a few more students now that I have my online setup a little more honed in. I think I’m best at teaching beginners on tenor banjo and tenor guitar (tuned in 5ths), but anyone is welcome to contact me if interested! 

Thanks, all. Stay safe and take care,

Alison

Upcoming Shows – September 2023

August 30, 2023

As we round the corner into the final stretch of summer, I’m preparing for two shows in September. I’d love to see you there!

This Sunday 9/3/23 I’ll have the honor of kicking off the festivities for The Faerie Court – a gathering of faeries and all manner of magical creatures, held at the Lane Events Center Auditorium in Eugene, OR. My set is 11 AM – noon.

Follow @the.faerie.market on Instagram for more details about this wonder-full event.

On the evening of 9/23/23 I’ll be joining in the fun at Planned Parenthood’s Buck the Bullies fundraising event at 255 Madison. Please come out to support this invaluable organization while enjoying a variety of performances and games! Tickets available NOW at bit.ly/buckthebullies

Ramping up for summer

May 7, 2023 — 1 Comment

The sun is out and I’m excited to announce my spring/summer schedule. Here’s where you can catch me next:

  1. Saturday May 13th: 2-3:30pm Heritage Distilling Company – 110 Madison St, Eugene, Oregon.

Heritage Distilling has planned an awesome pop-up event next Saturday May 13th at their Whiteaker location. I’ll be playing outside from 2-3:30. Come early to grab a drink and a seat. Moms, dogs, and dancing all strongly encouraged!

  1. June 2-4th: Tenor Guitar Gathering at the Charlene Larsen Performing Arts Center in Astoria, Oregon.

If you’re a fan of tenor guitars, or curious about this lesser-known instrument, you won’t want to miss the Tenor Guitar Gathering in Astoria, Oregon June 2-4th. I’m looking forward to performing and jamming with a whole lineup of world-class musicians. I’ll even be teaching a workshop on the neuroscience of practice! For registration and more information, visit their website at https://www.tenorguitar.org/

  1. September 23rd: Planned Parenthood fundraiser, location and time TBD… but mark your calendars!

Cap off the summer with a good cause by joining me at the Planned Parenthood fundraiser on September 23rd in the Eugene/Springfield area. The location and time are still TBD, but I’ll keep you updated as the details are clarified. Come out and support a worthy cause while enjoying some amazing art and music.

Hope to see you soon!

Gig Saturday 3/18/23 ~ plus some yearly reflections

March 16, 2023 — 1 Comment

Happy Spring, friends ~ Come celebrate this lovely weather with me at The Fairie Market this Saturday 3/18/23! I’ll be playing on the main stage 4-5pm. The festivities are taking place at The Hybrid Gallery in Eugene, 941 W 3rd Ave.

The last time I played at The Hybrid Gallery was my FIRST public performance after a decade-long break. It was such a special night for me as I pushed through stage fright and self-doubt. The audience made me feel so appreciated and it really gave me the confidence to start putting myself out there again. (THANK YOU to my good friend Joe Hughes @doily0 for believing in me and encouraging me to take the gig!!)

I’ve attended a bunch of other art and music shows at The Hybrid since then and there is always this magical feedback loop between artists and audience in that space… Anyway, I’m so excited to be playing there again after almost exactly one year. It’s actually wild to reflect on everything that’s happened over the past year… In addition to The Hybrid Gallery, I performed at First National Tap House, Heritage Distillery, and the World Athletic Championships. I was a featured performer at the Tenor Guitar Gathering in Astoria, OR where I also taught my first workshop and stayed up until the wee hours jamming and learning from world class musicians. I played live on two different radio stations. I serenaded a beautiful couple down the aisle at Mt Pisgah Arboretum. I started a TikTok account that’s fairly popular (at least by my standards). And I started this website (big thanks to my husband Chandlor)!

Sometimes it feels like I haven’t been doing enough. But in reality, it’s been a productive year.

Looking forward, I’ll be performing and teaching again this year at the Tenor Guitar Gathering June 2-4, and I have a few other gigs in the works that I hope to reveal soon. A major item on my wishlist is to find a rhythm guitar player to back me up and inspire some new content… Irish music can be absolutely ROCKIN and I’ve been craving another musical element to shake things up. If anyone out there is interested, please reach out.

And come see me THIS SATURDAY 3/18/23 – 4:00PM – 941 W 3rd Ave, Eugene, OR

@alisonhelzermusic

Come see me this Saturday 3/18 4-5pm at the #eugeneoregon Hybrid Gallery ❤️ #tenorguitar #guitar #guitartok #martinguitar #musician #celticmusic #scottishtiktok #scottishmusic #flatpicking #celtic #aquarium #livemusic

♬ original sound – Ali☀️

Fall Update

November 24, 2022

Hello friends! I hope you’re all enjoying a restful break. Since I found myself with some downtime, I thought I’d post an update.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of playing music at the unveiling of the new sculpture in Waldport, OR, honoring the life and legacy of Louis Southworth. Oregon Coast Television put together this lovely mini-doc. Give it a watch, and keep an eye out for the opening of Louis Southwork Park, coming soon!

Earlier this Fall, I performed at a wedding at Mt Pisgah Arboretum. I played before and during the processional, as well as during the celebratory cocktail hour. It was so much fun, and I was thrilled to be able to contribute to the couple’s magical day. My husband helped me with my instruments and sound equipment (thank goodness!) and he took some photos as well.

One of my favorite things about weddings is working with the couple ahead of time to learn new songs and build arrangements that hold special significance. Such a rewarding experience <3 Congratulations Lia and Xavier!

Photo taken by Chandlor Henderson
Photo taken by Chandlor Henderson
Photo taken by Chandlor Henderson

New Website

September 12, 2022

Hi friends! My husband has created a website for me, and to kick it off I’m posting five choice clips from my social media this year. Eventually, this site will include my show calendar, merch, and other fun things. But for now, this is my soft opening.

Please subscribe to my mailing list, follow me on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, and don’t hesitate to reach out!

Take care,

Alison

@alisonhelzermusic

Just a little lunch break banjo #banjo #tenorbanjo #irishmusic #ItsGreatOutdoors #fyp

♬ original sound – Ali☀️
@alisonhelzermusic

I got bit by so many mosquitos 🤦🏼‍♀️ Worth it! tenorbanjo #banjo #irishbanjo #trogdor #irishmusic #summervibes #fyp #oregon

♬ original sound – Ali☀️
@alisonhelzermusic

Switching it up a little today 🎶 #bach #banjo #tenorbanjo #classicalmusic #portlandparks #musiciansoftiktok #summertime #fyp 🎥@nywele_hendo

♬ original sound – Ali☀️
@alisonhelzermusic

Bach Cello Suite No. 1 – Prelude /// Not the most polished take, but the best feeling 💗 #banjo #tenorbanjo #bach #cello #bachcellosuite #classicalmusic #classicalbanjo #fyp #music #summer #sunshine #wholesome #baroque

♬ original sound – Ali☀️