artist to be a dancer”
Ashley possesses some unique abilities that, very early on, set her apart from many of her peers. From the age of 2, in gymnastics class, she demonstrated exceptional flexibility that earned her the nickname, “Gumbi”, a love of performing, and an intense desire to perfect all that she undertakes. Later on, these qualities translated into her commitment, perseverance, a drive to excel, and a fiercely strong work ethic, all of which have been noticed and recognized by the choreographers, directors, castmates, and crews with whom she has worked.
After having competed in gymnastics for several years, Ashley entered the world of dance, and competed for 11 years in the styles of acrobatics, jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, hip hop, and partnering. Ashley has been awarded numerous scholarships for her dancing, including the Alan Lund Scholarship. Additionally, her performances display a rare combination of strength, flexibility, grace, and technical proficiency, all of which have helped her win many overall awards in both Canada and the United States, most notably, Teen Female Dancer of the Year and the Senior Solo Dance category at the C.N.E.’s Rising Star Talent Competition. In addition to her dance training, she has taken vocal and drama lessons, both privately and in her post-secondary education at the Randolph School of the Arts.
Professionally, Ashley has performed in numerous industrial shows, including Disney Canada’s Winnie the Pooh Friendship Day in Toronto and Winnipeg over a period of 5 summers, Sears Back to School promotions in Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton, Casino Rama, and Club Med in the Bahamas, to name a few.
Ashley has appeared in several television commercials and films, including Disney and ABC’s remake of The Music Man, starring Kristin Chenoweth and Mathew Broderick, as well as Mayhem Project’s Make It Happen.
Ashley’s passion for performing has been evidenced in her portrayals in the live theatrical productions in which she has appeared. She has performed as Victoria, the white cat, in Drayton Entertainment’s 2 productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS, choreographed by Gino Berti and directed by Dave Campbell. Additionally for Drayton Entertainment, she was a featured performer in Swing,with the legendary big band conductor, Howard Cable, and she played the role of a Geminae in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She also appeared in the Theatre Aquarius production of Seussical- The Musical. Most recently, Ashley was honoured to perform in the prestigious Charlottetown Festival, directed and choreographed by Annie Allen. She portrayed Gertie Pye in the Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables, which was brought to Toronto’s Elgin Theatre by Dancap Productions before moving on to Charlottetown. Ashley was also a featured performer, playing Whim, in the Charlottetown Festival’s Disco Cirque.
When she is not performing, Ashley teaches and choreographs for a local Toronto studio. She has won several awards for her choreography, and as a result, she has also been invited to be a guest teacher and choreographer for other studios in both Ontario and the United States.