Allison is the 2025 National Storytelling Festival
STORY SLAM WINNER!!

“Downey’s voice has the same kind of captivating, poignant quality that makes Sarah McLachlan such a powerhouse, her tunes combining rich music with tender words.”

John Sinkevics, The Grand Rapids Press

“Absolutely riveting as an artist, coach and facilitator. Do not miss the chance to work with her – it will raise your bar in spades!”

Aviva, “Live Out Loud” Women’s Retreat Series

“Allison Downey is a true poet whose lyrics stand on their own as art. Add to that her polished performance skills and crystal clear vocals and you have one of the best singer-songwriters out there today.”

Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio

“Allison is as present with the audience as the participants are with her – made me believe I could do this and can’t wait to try!”

Pamela Burke, Storyteller

“Allison is perhaps the best instructor I’ve ever had in my life (which is saying something, as I’ve had some good professors)”

MBA candidate, Storytelling for Organizations course

“Downey’s smooth, lyrical, soaring voice
is a splendid instrument.”

Mark Bretz, KDHX radio, St. Louis

“Allison Downey is one soulful bitch!”

Miss Lavelle White, Antone’s Records Recording Artist

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Allison is an award-winning singer-songwriter, storyteller, speaker, and educator (university professor specializing in creativity, arts integration and storytelling). She believes in the power of story and song to inspire, connect, and teach us about ourselves. Holding an MFA in theater, Allison has been an NPR-affiliate host and radio producer in cultural programming and has captivated audiences as a featured performer and presenter at conferences, festivals, and stages across the country—from touring with The Moth’s Mainstage (also a multiple StorySLAM winner), to presenting at Lincoln Center Theater, to singing her heart out at Wheatland Music Festival, to presenting keynotes for clients, including Kellogg Global. Her contemporary folk albums have received national, international, and satellite radio airplay. Her travels across 5 continents give her lots of material for songs and stories. Allison has weathered her fair share of health challenges from a crazy weird rare cancer to Long Covid, that … interrupted her performance schedule. Yeah, she got some new stories and songs outta it.

Allison is based in Kalamazoo, MI – by way of Austin, TX, New Mexico, Brooklyn and her hometown of Washington, DC. She shares her life with her cool 6-string bass playing husband, John Austin, her ready for prime time 17-year-old jazz bass phenomenon of a son, Michael, and her anxious but well-meaning orange puppy, Penny. Allison doesn’t usually refer to herself in third person.

Allison has release two award-winning albums of original music.