Claire Alsop was born in Durham where she had organ
lessons with James Lancelot at Durham Cathedral. She then studied music at Bristol University, during which
time she was organ scholar at Bristol Cathedral, and had lessons with David Briggs at Gloucester Cathedral.On graduating Claire was appointed organist of Cheltenham Ladies College, where she worked until 2001, and she was also accompanist to the Cheltenham Bach Choir under Stephen Jackson. Claire continued to teach in Cheltenham on a part time basis after the birth of her first child, and in 2003 she spent a term as acting director of music at St Mary Redcliffe Church in Bristol. She gained the FRCO diploma in 2006, winning the Turpin prize. Claire is assistant organist at St Mary Redcliffe church, together with her husband Graham. She enjoys teaching piano and organ, and with four children, her musical activity ranges from accompanying Choral Evensong to supervising Grade 1 piano practice!