Alyson Mackenzie Stroker was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Aly is a New York York City actress and singer, and has been for over three quarters of her life. She studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentrated in drama. Ali has been paralyzed from the chest down since she was two years old and uses a wheelchair because of a car accident. She wants to inspire others with disabilities who want to be performers to follow their dreams. She originally auditioned for The Glee Project at a casting call in New York City. Ali is a Mezzo-Soprano but because she is paralyzed, she cannot engage the diaphragm, stomach, or core, she creates her own singing techniques. She's a strong swimmer, and learns to surf with the group Life Rolls On.