“I love to learn. I love college and love challenges. I have a strong mind and I’m always thinking. I have a book of logic puzzles next to my bed. Seriously.

I like to write. Many of my short stories are published. It’s exciting to create something new from scratch then see it take its place in the world.

In my downtime, I like to go for walks. My newest hobby is embroidery.

Something you might not know about me: I have a passion for sour candy.”

Kate asks Allie:

What’s your favorite part about Tatu Mianzi?
It’s all so much fun. I love the interaction with you and mom when we perform. It is empowering to be able to play any kind of music from anywhere in the world. Because we create our own repertoire we only play songs we love. I love that.

You play a lot of jazz at school. What do you love about jazz?
Jazz is so much fun to play. Only a tiny bit of playing jazz is about the melody. The rest is improvisation. I love to improvise and collaborate.

What is your favorite subject in school?
I love to write. It’s so much fun. Grammar makes so much sense to me. I am the grammar police for the family.

What do you like about busking?
Street performing is so much fun. For one, it’s great for people watching, but I also love to make people smile and brighten their day.

You say “so much fun” a lot. What’s that about?
I have a very fun life.

The Milton Academy Jazz Band in Cape Town!

Performing with the Milton H. S. Jazz Band

A teaching moment

Violinists make great friends!

Avant-Garde Allie

She’s a rock!

Classical Allie

The stage is Allie’s second home