In 2008, Alan was honoured for Black History Month by the Markham African Caribbean Association for outstanding contributions and service to the community.  In 1994, he received the Canadian Harry Jerome Award for Outstanding Professional Excellence.  Other awards came from the Ontario Arts Council and the Classical 96 FM scholarship for study at The Royal Conservatory of Music. 

A former teacher of The Royal Conservatory, Alan is currently a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association and President of the Markham/Stouffville Branch.  His uncompromising dedication as a music teacher continues to inspire students of all ages.  Alan’s students have won first place awards in many competitions and music festivals.  Others have pursued undergraduate music study and embarked on professional careers as musicians.   In 2007, Alan joined the College of Examiners at The Royal Conservatory of Music.  

Alan began his Bachelor of Music study at the University of Western Ontario with Sonja Behrens as his mentor.  He later won a prized scholarship to The Juilliard School in New York where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees.  While there, he studied with Adele Marcus and renowned concert pianist Oxana Yablonskaya.  Alan then pursued studies at the Glenn Gould Professional School of The Royal Conservatory of Music.  He obtained a graduate Artist Diploma while studying under Chopin specialist Marek Jablonski and internationally acclaimed teacher and performer Leon Fleisher.