Alison Barone was born and raised in Southern California. Growing up she studied and competed in ballet, tap and jazz. She continued her ballet training at many prestigious schools and attended Loyola Marymount University as a Dance Major while receiving her full Pilates certification. She then danced professionally with several ballet companies across the united states. After teaching Pilates for many years in New York City she moved to Nantucket where she teaches Adult Ballet, Barre and Pilates. she is also a co-chair of the nantucket dance festival, a fundraiser for nantucket dance theater. 

She was inspired to write Nantucket Nelly by her love for Nantucket and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beau. She now splits her time between Nantucket and sarasota with her husband Jon, and precious sons Chase and connor.