Ashley St. John – has achieved her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance at Toronto Metropolitan University with Honours, making her a diverse and versatile performer. She is the recipient of the Theatre and Dance Program Award presented by Nadia Potts.
Ashley began her training at Jacqueline’s School of Dance at the age of five, training competitively in jazz, tap, ballet/pointe, contemporary, acrobatics, hip hop, and more. It was here where Ashley discovered her true passion and love for dance and the stage. Ashley started vocal lessons and private tumbling shortly after. She continued her studies in the performing arts program at O’Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute (“O’Neill Performing Arts”) combining her abilities into a Triple Threat Performer. With over twenty years of training, Ashley has received special recognition for her stage presence, technique, and emotional execution.
Ashley began professional work at sixteen at Canada’s Wonderland. She has had the privilege of working as a performer throughout Canada and on international waters, with credits such as: Mirvish (Sillabub in Toronto’s Dora Mavor Moore award nominated production of Cats the Musical at The CAA Theatre), The Charlottetown Festival – where she was awarded the 2019 Don Harron Scholarship at the Maud Whitmore Scholarship Variety Concert, Drayton Entertainment, Mayfield Dinner Theatre, Stage West Calgary, Neptune Theatre, The Canadian Opera Company, Theatre Making Movement, Celebrity Cruise Entertainment, Les Production Haut-Vol, the Contessa Awards, and the Parapan Games. As well Ashley played the role of Arial in The Thirst for Love and Water during the Panamanian Festival (Dora nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble). She has had the pleasure to attend Springboard Danse Montreal, and work alongside Proartedanza, Gadfly, Hanna Kiel, and Aszure Barton & Artists. Ashley is also a member of ACTRA and has recently appeared as a Chorus Performer in Apple Tv +’s Emmy Award winning Comedy series Schmigadoon season 1 & 2. Ashley’s UK Visa has been approved and will be valid from June 2023- June 2025. Ashley is excited to take on the role of Dance Captain on her upcoming production of The Prom and Apache Dancer in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat this spring/summer with Drayton Entertainment.
Beyond the stage, the dance studio is her second home. Ashley is a certified dance teacher under the B.A.T.D. for both Stage and Ballet and has trained in Acrobatic Arts. Ashley has taught for both the City of Oshawa, Montessori School, and Kerry’s Place Autism Service. Ashley is often a guest teacher and choreographer at many Durham Region Studios and High Schools in the GTA and has been a faculty member at Jacqueline’s School Dance for fourteen years.
Ashley loves to take on new avenues. In her spare time, she has been training in stunts, learning guitar, basic juggling, aerial skills, and partnering. She enjoys creating her own concept videos with her partner and she always wants to keep expanding her knowledge.
Ashley is recognized for her work ethic, positivity, dedication, passion, and contagious smile. Ashley hopes to share her passion and inspire every student to follow their dreams.