Allyne Brislan studied at the Sydney Conservatorium as a pianist, with Lindley Evans and Nancy Salas, and flautist, with Victor McMahon, becoming a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra in 1962. That same year she won the instrumental section of the New South Wales Final of the ABC Concerto and Vocal Competition playing the flute, and in the following year, won both the Keyboard and Wind/Brass sections of the West Australian Finals. In 1968, Allyne entered the Competition once more, winning the keyboard section of the WA Finals as a harpsichordist, an instrument for which she developed a great love and interest.
In 1963, Allyne took up a position with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, where she remained until 1968. During this time, she performed as a soloist with the orchestra on flute, piccolo, piano and harpsichord, and was a frequent broadcaster and solo performer. She also enjoyed playing chamber music and particularly, accompanying. In 1968, Allyne resigned from the WASO, having decided that orchestral playing was no longer sufficiently engaging her interest, and moved to England. Before finally leaving the world of professional music, she obtained Licentiates on both the piano and flute from the Royal Academy of Music.
From 1969 until 1997, Allyne worked for an English Charity concerned with women and children’s education, health and social well-being. Her commitment to this cause took her to many parts of the United Kingdom, Romania, India, South Africa, Botswana and Madagascar, as well as frequent shorter visits to Italy, Belgium, Sweden and East Germany.
At the end of 1997, her deep love of her native land called her back home. She retired from the Charity and its involvement, returning to Australia where she settled in Adelaide. The piano was “dusted off” and requests to accompany advanced students at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and the TAFE School of Music soon followed.
In 2002, following her husband’s retirement from the Elder Conservatorium, they moved to the Central Coast of NSW. The Central Coast Conservatorium was in need of accompanists, and Allyne quickly became established in the area, continuing to work with students for another twelve years. She also returned to teaching the flute at the request of the Director at the Conservatorium; this she did for ten years, finding great enjoyment in her students’ progress and developing careers. Allyne finally retired in 2016, but she and her husband, Patrick Brislan, continue to maintain a connection to the local music scene through their involvement in adjudication of scholarships and awards. They also have a life-long commitment to the Australian Youth Orchestra.