ALLISON SWAIM






I’m Allison Swaim and it’s my third year at Oberlin. I’m majoring in Comparative American Studies, with a 
focus in story-telling and a minor in Environmental (Justice) Studies. I grew up a pianist, with years of 
inspiration from my mentor Francis McGill. Jazz band was a highlight of my middle school and high school 
years.  My first experience making music in an all-women group: I had a job in high school as church pianist 
at a tiny Methodist church in my hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina, and I held monthly choir practice 
with four white-haired ladies. At Oberlin, my musical activities have ranged from shape-note singing to 
Javanese gamelan. I’ve recently (re)discovered sound as a medium—for art and for telling stories. I spent 
last semester making radio documentaries in Portland, Maine (at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.) 
Back at Oberlin, I’m spending a lot of time these days in the TIMARA world in the conservatory basement. 

back to WAM!