Alan is the Contra Bassoon Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Alan was born in Manchester where he was taught the bassoon by Charles Cracknell. He studied at the RAM with Gwydion Brooke. On leaving the Academy in 1973 he freelanced in London. He was a member of Kent Opera Orchestra from 1973-84. Most other work was with the Philharmonia and English National Opera and Alan was a member of the Vega Wind Quintet. He joined the Orchestra of Scottish Opera in 1984 as Principal Contrabassoon and sub-principal bassoon. Whilst in Scotland he has also played with RSNO, BBCSSO, SCO, Ulster Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia and visitors to the Edinburgh Festival such as Swedish Radio Symphony, and Polish Chamber Orchestras .