Ali Cook, piano, voice, cello, bass
Ali Cook is a classical double bassist turned musical alchemist and singer-songwriter described as having a crystalline voice—reminiscent of Norah Jones and Gillian Welch’s expressive warmth. She took with her the precision of the orchestral stage to the unbound string sounds and storytelling of Americana and Tango.
A freelance veteran of the National, Detroit, and Baltimore symphonies, she channels her classical precision into genre-spanning collaborations: the cosmic Americana storytelling of Barton Hollow, the fiery passion of international tango ensemble Quintango, and virtuosic band of string players in her project Ali & The Wild Geese (featured on KUTX Austin and Americana UK). Her debut album, Next, embodies this leap featuring her voice, guitar, violin, piano, and bass.
Her arrangement of Dance Me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen has been featured in dance programs and her original composition Aspiration was featured in the documentary Tango Fine which won multiple awards, including for its soundtrack.
Ali has earned degrees in music performance from Michigan State University, Indiana University, and Manhattan School of Music as well as winning a Tanglewood fellowship under the Boston Symphony, toured and performed with the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, and has received numerous awards for her orchestral work.
With a career spanning symphonic stages, international tango tours, and award-winning songwriting, Ali Cook embodies the full arc of a musician’s journey—from disciplined classical training to fearless creative reinvention. This rare duality makes her an ideal mentor for students at any level, whether refining their technique, uncovering their artistic voice, or bridging the gap between precision and passion. For Ali, teaching isn’t just about music; it’s about empowering others to discover their own path through it. She is a trained bassist, vocalist, pianist, and cellist, offering lessons in any of those instruments including arranging and composition.