Allyson Goodman was appointed principal viola of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra/Washington National Opera Orchestra in 2014 and joined as the youngest member of the ensemble. She has been featured as a soloist and chamber musician with the orchestra and has performed on numerous occasions at the Colombian Ambassador’s residence on behalf of the Washington National Opera.

Allyson performs solo and chamber recitals regularly on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Series and is a frequent performer with the National Chamber Players. As the recipient of top prizes in numerous competitions, Allyson has also appeared as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician across the country. 

Allyson’s primary teachers include renowned pedagogue Roland Vamos and James Dunham of the Grammy-winning Cleveland Quartet. While completing her master’s degree at Rice University she was awarded the coveted Brown Fellowship in pedagogical studies. After completing her studies, Allyson spent one year as a viola fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. 

Allyson spends her summers performing at The Grand Teton Music Festival and the Caroga Lake Chamber Music Festival and has served on the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Miami Summer Music Festival. A passionate educator, she is as a mentor for exceptionally gifted students through the D.C. Youth Orchestra program and has been an adjudicator for youth competitions such as the Friday Morning Music Club. When she’s not playing and teaching the viola, Allyson enjoys exploring Washington D.C. on her bicycle.