Taurey Butler – XRIJF 2012

Active as a collaborator, chamber musician, studio teacher, and music entrepreneur, Ashley Danyew is dedicated to teaching and learning and creating new opportunities for music.

Ashley received her B.A. in Music, cum laude from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. She completed an M.M. in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music and received the Certificate in Arts Leadership from Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership. Ashley’s primary piano instructors include Edward Eikner, Dr. Evgeny Rivkin, Louise Barfield, and Dr. Jean Barr. Additionally, she studied organ with Dr. Fletcher Anderson and Dr. Jolene Davis and voice with Dr. Liana Valente. Ashley has performed in masterclasses with George Shirley, Norman McLean, Nadine Whitney, Victor Rosenbaum, Tony Arnold, and Håkan Hagegård.

Ashley performs regularly in a saxophone/piano duo with her husband, Steve Danyew. Together, Ashley and Steve are committed to community education and innovative performance practice through the presentation of classical duo repertoire and transcriptions of vocal art songs. They have presented individual works, recitals, and lecture programs in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Ashley has several years of teaching experience in community music schools, private studio settings, and at the college level, having recently served on the faculty of Fitchburg State University. Ashley also co-founded and currently serves as Co-Artistic Director of the Westminster Chamber Music Workshop, a series of engaging, educational music events. Currently, Ashley is pursuing a PhD in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music.