Ashley was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and feels lucky to have been immersed in such a diverse and artistically vibrant environment. Growing up as the product of New Mexican Hispanos (Spanish and Indigenous mixed culture) and Portuguese grandparents on her mother’s side, and coming from a deep line of Scots-Irish ancestors on her father’s side, tradition, music, food, and art were just a way of life. One of Ashley’s earliest memories is being in Nana’s kitchen, wearing a dish towel filled with bananas wrapped around her head, and attempting a Samba as Nana sang Mamãe Eu Quero. If it wasn’t a pint-sized Carmen Miranda, it was always someone or something Ashley was emulating to entertain or get a laugh. But soon she discovered Gene Kelly and Judy Garland too, and in between school, dance classes, and voice lessons, she spent hours studying every note and step of those classic movie musicals. Gene, Judy, Ann, Ginger, Fred, Debbie, and Donald became like old friends. It was pure magic and the catalyst for Ashley choosing the career path she would follow.
Ashley is a graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory of the Perfoming Arts in Los Angeles with a BFA degree in Musical Theatre, is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, and is an educator to children, adults, and students with the goal of a professional career in the arts. She’s still wearing fruit on her head, figuratively these days, although there’s always a possibility...