Ashley M
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical, Pop, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Ashley M
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
MM in Classical Voice, New York University; Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy, New York University; MA in Vocal Performance & Literature, Eastern Illinois University; BM in K-12 Vocal Music Education, Eastern Illinois University
2016 & 2016: Classical Singer Vocal Competition, Semi Finalist; 2015: NYU Steinhardt Dean’s Scholarship; 2013: Music Department Honors Recital Competition, Winner; 2010: Concerto Competition, Winner; 2010: Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, 2nd Runner-up; 2009-2010: Golden Lyre Award; 2006-2010: Talented Student Award
Music is much more than notes on a page or a skill to be obtained- it is an universal means of expression and has the potential to touch people in different ways, performer and audience alike. Because of this perspective, I enjoy studying and teaching a variety of genres, eras, languages, and characters. I believe that some of the best teachers of performing arts are those that can use their performance knowledge as a basis for guiding their students while also acting as a sounding board for their students to use in respect to their own musical decisions. To me, performing and teaching are intertwined, enhancing each other. The more I develop my teaching skills, the better my understanding of my own performance practices and vocal technique will be; the stronger my performance skills become, the more I will be able to relate to my students’ experiences and be a more well-rounded resource for them. My educational studies have included a Master's in Classical Voice and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from New York University Steinhardt, and a Master's in Vocal Performance & Literature and a Bachelor's in Vocal Music Education from Eastern Illinois University. I have also studied the Rehabilitation of the Singing Voice, attended the Mindful Voice Production Seminar & Masterclass and the 2nd International Voice Symposium, The Voice: Art & Science, and participated in numerous masterclasses all at NYU. Recently, I have been working on a wide array of pieces with the chamber musicians of Mineral Point, performing with the Belle Ensemble of Racine, and singing as Snow White with Once Upon a Dream Performances of Rockford, IL. While in NYC, I had the opportunity to perform in New York Lyric Opera Theatre's Carnegie Hall Opera Gala 2015 and DiMenna Center Opera Shows 2016. During my studies at NYU Steinhardt, I was seen onstage in three operatic productions and was a First Round Finalist of the Classical Singer Vocal Competitions in 2015 & 2016. I provided my performance skills regularly at St. Francis Xavier Church and Regina Pacis Basilica in Brooklyn, as well as other churches in Brooklyn and NYC. In 2012, I participated in two educational opera programs: Music in the Marche program in L’Italia and the Midwest Institute of Opera program in Bloomington, IL. During my time at EIU, I was the recipient of two performance scholarships, was a Concerto Competition winner, and a Departmental Honors recitalist. I performed regularly in both Musical Theatre and Classical shows, as well as for religious, sporting, and collegiate events. I also received awards for research and presentations in the fields of music history and voice.
By day, I am the high school and middle school Choral Director, General Music Teacher, and Voice Lesson Teacher at Mineral Point. By night, I serve as the Musical Theatre Director at the school, and offer private vocal lessons. I was an Adjunct Instructor of non-major voice lessons at NYU Steinhardt for three years, and an independent lesson teacher in the NYC metro area. I have had the opportunity to work for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (late-elementary, middle, and high school aged campers) in a variety of positions, including Voice Faculty, Choir Minor Teacher, Unit Director, and Counselor.
Modern vocal pedagogy informs my teaching methods. By finding balance in air flow, phonation and resonance, the development of the voice is promoted in a healthy manner. Once this balance is consistent, a singer is capable of communicating more clearly and effectively. I encourage students to delve into a variety of genres, languages, characters, and challenges. I cater to each student's expectations in taking lessons, as well as their individual technical, musical, and performing needs. Communication and honesty is key- as long as both are mutually intact, my students have found growth and joy throughout their lessons!
It is important to have an atmosphere of trust and honesty, regular communication, and constant reflection for successful growth through lessons. I meet with a student to discuss their interests, aspirations, and expectations in taking lessons, and we choose musical goals and selections together. Every time we have a lesson, I ask for their reflection on their frustrations, progress, and discoveries within their craft and music. This allows us to converse freely about their learning pace, flux of interest, strengths and weaknesses, and how they perceive their improvement, as well as if changes need to occur in the lesson setting, the musical selections, or our initial goals. I find that this reflection also promotes positive self-monitoring, self-motivation, and a deeper investment for most students. I also consider open-mindedness a key factor in the success rate for vocal students. Each individual has a different experience while singing, and to hone in on this uniqueness is paramount, though tricky. Trying new ideas, new exercises, new genres, new languages, etc. is how we can best challenge our instrument to reach new heights and feats we may not have even considered before. Lastly, I encourage my students to use me as a resource- I am not here to judge, but rather to guide and assist on a path toward their artistic goals.
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