ASHLEY TOWNSLEY, soprano
Biography
Ashley Townsley is widely applauded by audiences for her sparkling high notes and effervescent stage presence, exuding a natural charm that manifests itself in radiant vocal phrasing. Currently based in Texas and a Houston native, Ashley has already made a significant debut with the Houston Grand Opera, giving the world the premiere of Jake Heggie’s Pieces of 9/11 Memories from Houston in 2012.
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Last season, Ashley made her role and company debut as Amore in UNT Opera’s fully staged production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice with a baroque chamber ensemble. She then went on to perform the role of Pamina in a concert performance of Die Zauberflöte with director and coach, Luke Housner, as a part of his Summer Opera Workshop series. Ashley closed the season with UNT Opera as Susanna in their production of Le nozze di Figaro.​
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​This season, Ashley makes her debut as an outreach artist with the The Dallas Opera, taking on the role of Despina in John Davies' The Three Little Pigs. On the concert stage Ashley returns to perform with the professional choral group, Orpheus Chamber Singers, in their holiday series, Christmas with Orpheus. Other concert engagements include a list of collaborative performances with pianist, Sara Steele and Mary Dibbern.
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Performance highlights of last season include performing with UNT Opera as La Feé in their production of Massenet's Cendrillon. Last summer, Ashley performed with early music ensemble, Fantasmi, as the soprano soloist on their Festival Baroko 2023 Czech Republic Tour. While on tour, the group gave the premiere of Daniel Milcžinsky's Oratorium on Czech National Radio.
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Ashley has distinguished herself in concert repertoire as a consistent and reliable soloist, appearing in works including Mozart’s Krönungsmesse, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with various orchestras and ensembles including the UNT Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Choral Foundation, and Lake Charles Messiah Chorus. Ashley has also enjoyed major competition successes, winning first place in the NATS Adult Women College Division in 2019. Most recently, Ashley was selected as a finalist in the UNT Concerto Competition.
Ashley has a Master of Music in Vocal Performance with a related field in Opera from the University of North Texas. Previously, Ashley earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from McNeese State University where she held the competitive Juliet Hardtner Music Scholarship. Ashley is a recipient of the Bill and Margot Winspear Opera Scholarship. She has recently earned a Graduate Artist Certificate in Opera from the University of North Texas where she studied with tenor, Richard Croft and soprano, Carol Wilson.