Alys John graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in BA Music, specialising in performance. She started playing the harp at the age of 9, having already started learning the piano and violin. Throughout her school days, she regularly participated in a number of Welsh festivals and Eisteddfodau, often successfully winning competitions as a chorister and instrumentalist. She has been a member of various youth ensembles, including the Glamorgan Four Counties Youth Orchestra, Cardiff and Vale Jazz Orchestra, Nantgarw Folk Band and the National Youth Choir of Wales. Since joining the music department at Newcastle University, she has been an active member of many ensembles, including the University Symphony Orchestra, the Music Society Chamber Orchestra and the University Jazz Orchestra. She also served as President of the Newcastle University Music Society during her second year. Although majoring in classical performance, she still enjoys playing folk harp, arranging and performing traditional tunes and songs. She wishes to continue her performance studies after graduating and hopes to be able to undertake a Masters in Performance.