{"id":7859,"date":"2025-03-01T07:03:38","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T12:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rickollie.com\/?p=7859"},"modified":"2025-03-04T07:16:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T12:16:39","slug":"alison-obrien-a-journey-through-music-and-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rickollie.com\/es\/2025\/03\/01\/alison-obrien-a-journey-through-music-and-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Alison O’Brien: A Journey Through Music and Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

A ‘Meet Me’ Interview<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ‘quirkiness’ <\/em><\/strong>in me is often present in the interviews I write up as I try to come across as human as the individual I’m writing about. And trust me, they’re all human like you and I regardless of their chosen paths in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alison O’Brien<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alison is no different. She’s talented, gracious, soft spoken, and eloquent while admitting a bit of quirkiness as well. Plus, she is kindhearted once friended, while cautious of those who she lets in to her inner circle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To the later I know because this piece has taken its time. We first crossed paths last September when I asked for an interview. Over the ensuing months we’ve exchanged pleasantries, and I had all but forgotten writing her story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although an explanation wasn’t needed to why, as I had already known, Alison explained via message this past week. But tucked away at the very end was this. “I\u2019d like to let someone into my tight knit circle. Would you be open to a phone interview?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Yes, i would. I\u2019ve waited for NOT the interview but for you to believe in me. If nothing else, I\u2019ll always be supportive and understanding for you. It\u2019s not part of any healing journey it\u2019s because I truly care,’ was a portion of my reply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alison O’Brien; Mom, Musician and Friend<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meet: Alison O’Brien<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Alison<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Who is Alison<\/em><\/strong>,” I asked after our informal niceties and giggles had subsided enough for us to begin the interview. Taken off guard by its capriciousness, she ponders a moment before replying. “Alison is a mom, musician and friend.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sense now she’s at ease with our journey, as nothing is more difficult than describing oneself in a single sentence before telling your life story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alison, Korean born, was adopted by Arleen and Dennis O’Brien at age three and raised in Virginia. She recalls to me singing the moment she met her newly adopted parents. And has been ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At age five she was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And says, life was more “challenging until it wasn’t.” and that, “she (her mother) had me in all different treatments. And that “school was easy.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I took to music right away at three,” she added. And has been around
“Musicians all my life,” while taking up “dance, gymnastics and acting” as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI tried very hard to be well rounded,\u201d Alison said. Then says, “I stopped dancing by high school as well when acting was clearly not a strong suit. I took hip hop up as an adult after school.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While excelling in school, she tells me her favorite subject was “Music. Any chance i could do music I would. Also, I was very good at science and math.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you win any awards, I quarried. “A lot. Piano and voice,” Alison mentions and “Scholarships. Plus, I won a lot of competitions. Both for trophies, certificates and some monetary awards.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

College<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attending both Marymount and George Mason Universities, the mother of one, has a BS in Psychology with an emphasis in early childhood development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Mom was adamant I not go to school for just music,” says the musician and furnishes, “Music has always been the fabric of my life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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