Lyric Coloratura Soprano | Recording Artist | Private Voice Teacher
Elizabeth works as a Professional Lyric Coloratura Soprano, Private Voice Teacher, Philanthropist. Recently, she was awarded "Pinnacle Professional Member" 2017 from Continental Who's Who, and 2016 "Professional of the Year" from Strathmore's Who's Who, Professionally, Ms. Hunter Ashley specializes as a Soloist in Oratorio, Opera, Concert, Sacred, Musical, and Cabaret. She performs in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, and internationally with renowned conductors. As a Private Voice teacher Elizabeth is the sole proprietor of The Elizabeth Hunter Ashley Performance Studio in Danville, California.
October 2017 to present Her Vocal Studio added a class of sustainable music technique (Italian Belcanto) for younger voices entitled "Rhythm , Notes & Song". This is a small exclusive group of students ages 5-11 yrs of age. Students are taught singing (mostly French folk songs and musical / Disney songs in English) appropriate theory, drum and percussion instruments as well as simple piano skills are learned. These younger students have an outreach singing in Recital at the Senior Living establishments.
Elizabeth's large Performance Studio's voice students (12+ years of age), perform bi-yearly in Recitals, Churches, and other performance venues.
Ms. Hunter Ashley has lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay area for the past 20 years. Her "Performance Voice Studio" is comprised of performers of all ages above 13 years of age. She has students that are performing professionally, as well as performing in Regional and Community choruses, opera companies, musical theatre, high school choirs and drama. In her decades of teaching, Ms. Hunter Ashley has had more than 250+ students; many of them to further their schooling as a Major/Minor in colleges and Graduate degrees. Her students have sung nationally and internationally. She was a voice teacher with "San Francisco Girls Chorus" for 15 years in SF and "Young Women Choral Artists" in SF for 5 years. Elizabeth has also taught several years at Acalanes High School and Monte Vista High School as a vocal coach for the women's choirs.
Ms. Hunter Ashley is an Adjudicator, and Philanthropist. May 2019 Elizabeth will be in Sacramento adjudicating California Music Education Association in the Solo/ Ensemble Competition. December 2017 marked her 20th year as The Soprano Soloist for The Sing A Long Messiah with Conductor Dr. Tim Smith and the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in California.
May 2018 she continued her passion in Philanthropy. She joined Randall Benway in Berkeley where they collaborated in a large fundraiser with all professional musicians for the historic Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Elizabeth enjoyed their debut together in performing many of Randall Benway's newest compositions.
Several years ago she Co-Founded a Music Arts Foundation: The Pure Delight Foundation. and continues to volunteer as a soloist for charitable organizations. Ms. Hunter Ashley performs with various Orchestras including recent Concerts with The Austin Minnesota Symphony in 2016 and with The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in California in 2018 and 2017. She is an active Concert, Recital and Church singer in the East Bay of San Francisco. Elizabeth is an adjudicator for National Teachers of Singing- Northern CA area as well as The California Music Educators Association. Philanthropy is very important to her. Elizabeth performs regularly for various fundraisers and uses the sale of her CD “A Season of Serenity” as an additional donation.
With over 16 Orchestras in the United States including California, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, Minnesota and Internationally in Salzburg Austria, and Rome Italy, Elizabeth is frequently a Featured Soloist. Many of her favorite lead roles include Rosalinda/Adele in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Josephine in HMS PINAFORE, Julie Jordanx in CAROUSEL, La Ciesca in GIANNI SCHICCI, Bastien in BASTIEN ET BASTIENNE. In Nebraska, Elizabeth was a member and soloist for The Opera Omaha Company and the Heartland Opera Theatre. In California she was member and soloist for The San Francisco Choral Artists, guest soprano for The Pacific Masterwork Choir. Currently Ms. Hunter Ashley is a soloist and member with The Blackhawk Chorus and the newly formed San Ramon Valley Chorale both in the East Bay of San Francisco.
In 2014 Elizabeth accompanied Director Bruce Koliha on his Belcanto tour to Europe including a voice choir of over 100 singers. She was a soloist and guest soprano traveling to Paris, London, and Rome for 7 performances in venues including Notre Dame Cathedral, Mass at Saint Peters Basilica, a French Chateau, and a rare performance in the Sistine Chapel. On her previous European tour Elizabeth was the featured soloist for the Hora Norvissimo Mass with the Salzburg Protegy Orchestra in Salzburg Austria. In California, Ms. Hunter Ashley has been nominated three times for the coveted Regional Shelly Award in the leading role of "LILY" in The Secret Garden with Diablo Light Opera Company and The Willows Theatre and the role of "MARSINAH" in Kismet with the Diablo Light Opera Company.
Prior to settling in California 20 years ago, Ms. Hunter Ashley worked with The Opera Omaha Company as an Assistant Resident Artist for their Heartland Opera Theatre, as well as a member and soloist of the Opera Chorus for 3 seasons. She enjoyed solo opportunities in the operas TURANOT and THE MERRY WIDOW. She also performed fundraisers/concerts singing excerpts from HANSEL AND GRETEL, DIE FLEDERMAUS and other notable operas.
Elizabeth is privileged to have sung "National Anthem" as a soloist in Nebraska, Minnesota, and California. Her most notable opportunities have included performing for the American League Championship Series game at the Minneapolis Minnesota “Metrodome” and the College World Series in Omaha Nebraska.
Elizabeth has been a member of P.E.O. since 1986 and was WF Chapter President in 2014 and 2015 in Danville California. She volunteers to sing at many P.E.O. functions including the most recent Organization of Chapter YA in Brentwood California. Elizabeth has been a featured soloist at the P.E.O. State Conventions in San Jose, California and Omaha, Nebraska, and an International P.E.O. Convention in San Diego, California. Additional organizations Elizabeth is a member of: CCMTAC, SFNATS, OPF, Mu Phi Epsilon, and Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority.
Elizabeth's most recent awards include Strathmore's Who's Who Worlwide Vocal Education and Performance Professional of the Year 2016, and featured press release in Women of Distinction Magazine 2016. Additional Awards include: Austin Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Recipient, Concerto Competition Winner - Graduate College Level; NATS - National Association Teachers of Singing - Winner Graduate level and Finalist in Undergraduate level. Miss Minnesota - Miss America Scholarship Pageant 1985 and Talent Winner; Miss Austin 1984 and Talent Winner.
As a Philantropist and Recording Artist, Ms. Hunter Ashley has donated many of her recordings and performances, including her Christmas CD "Season of Serenity" to various fundraisers and organizations in need of support. Elizabeth gave a percentage of profits to the NYC Franciscan Order after our Nations tragedy, 911 in 2001; to the families of the victims of Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut December 2012.
Ms. Hunter Ashley continues to donate proceeds from her concerts to many people including the Lwamondo Parish in South Africa in 2012 whom she visited, performed, becoming beloved friends in Christ. She also had the pleasure of recording the lead role in an Original Composition: "The Cure' of Ars" CD for composer Dr. John Vitz at Studio 880 in Oakland California.
Ms. Hunter Ashley is Miss Minnesota 1985 and "Talent Winner" in the 1985 Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant. This led Elizabeth to competing for Miss America in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1985. She began her pageant experience by winning the title of Miss Austin (Minnesota) 1984 and Talent Winner. Prior to those competitions, Ms. Hunter Ashley was a Miss Minnesota State Pageant Singer and dancer. Elizabeth recently returned to Minneapolis where she performed and hosted 2 nights of competition for the 2015 Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant.
Experience
October 2017 to present Her Vocal Studio added a class of sustainable music technique (Italian Belcanto) for younger voices entitled "Rhythm , Notes & Song". This is a small exclusive group of students ages 5-11 yrs of age. Students are taught singing (mostly French folk songs and musical / Disney songs in English) appropriate theory, drum and percussion instruments as well as simple piano skills are learned. These younger students have an outreach singing in Recital at the Senior Living establishments.
Elizabeth's large Performance Studio's voice students (12+ years of age), perform bi-yearly in Recitals, Churches, and other performance venues.
Ms. Hunter Ashley has lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay area for the past 20 years. Her "Performance Voice Studio" is comprised of performers of all ages above 13 years of age. She has students that are performing professionally, as well as performing in Regional and Community choruses, opera companies, musical theatre, high school choirs and drama. In her decades of teaching, Ms. Hunter Ashley has had more than 250+ students; many of them to further their schooling as a Major/Minor in colleges and Graduate degrees. Her students have sung nationally and internationally. She was a voice teacher with "San Francisco Girls Chorus" for 15 years in SF and "Young Women Choral Artists" in SF for 5 years. Elizabeth has also taught several years at Acalanes High School and Monte Vista High School as a vocal coach for the women's choirs.
Ms. Hunter Ashley is an Adjudicator, and Philanthropist. May 2019 Elizabeth will be in Sacramento adjudicating California Music Education Association in the Solo/ Ensemble Competition. December 2017 marked her 20th year as The Soprano Soloist for The Sing A Long Messiah with Conductor Dr. Tim Smith and the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in California.
May 2018 she continued her passion in Philanthropy. She joined Randall Benway in Berkeley where they collaborated in a large fundraiser with all professional musicians for the historic Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Elizabeth enjoyed their debut together in performing many of Randall Benway's newest compositions.
Several years ago she Co-Founded a Music Arts Foundation: The Pure Delight Foundation. and continues to volunteer as a soloist for charitable organizations. Ms. Hunter Ashley performs with various Orchestras including recent Concerts with The Austin Minnesota Symphony in 2016 and with The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in California in 2018 and 2017. She is an active Concert, Recital and Church singer in the East Bay of San Francisco. Elizabeth is an adjudicator for National Teachers of Singing- Northern CA area as well as The California Music Educators Association. Philanthropy is very important to her. Elizabeth performs regularly for various fundraisers and uses the sale of her CD “A Season of Serenity” as an additional donation.
With over 16 Orchestras in the United States including California, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, Minnesota and Internationally in Salzburg Austria, and Rome Italy, Elizabeth is frequently a Featured Soloist. Many of her favorite lead roles include Rosalinda/Adele in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Josephine in HMS PINAFORE, Julie Jordanx in CAROUSEL, La Ciesca in GIANNI SCHICCI, Bastien in BASTIEN ET BASTIENNE. In Nebraska, Elizabeth was a member and soloist for The Opera Omaha Company and the Heartland Opera Theatre. In California she was member and soloist for The San Francisco Choral Artists, guest soprano for The Pacific Masterwork Choir. Currently Ms. Hunter Ashley is a soloist and member with The Blackhawk Chorus and the newly formed San Ramon Valley Chorale both in the East Bay of San Francisco.
In 2014 Elizabeth accompanied Director Bruce Koliha on his Belcanto tour to Europe including a voice choir of over 100 singers. She was a soloist and guest soprano traveling to Paris, London, and Rome for 7 performances in venues including Notre Dame Cathedral, Mass at Saint Peters Basilica, a French Chateau, and a rare performance in the Sistine Chapel. On her previous European tour Elizabeth was the featured soloist for the Hora Norvissimo Mass with the Salzburg Protegy Orchestra in Salzburg Austria. In California, Ms. Hunter Ashley has been nominated three times for the coveted Regional Shelly Award in the leading role of "LILY" in The Secret Garden with Diablo Light Opera Company and The Willows Theatre and the role of "MARSINAH" in Kismet with the Diablo Light Opera Company.
Prior to settling in California 20 years ago, Ms. Hunter Ashley worked with The Opera Omaha Company as an Assistant Resident Artist for their Heartland Opera Theatre, as well as a member and soloist of the Opera Chorus for 3 seasons. She enjoyed solo opportunities in the operas TURANOT and THE MERRY WIDOW. She also performed fundraisers/concerts singing excerpts from HANSEL AND GRETEL, DIE FLEDERMAUS and other notable operas.
Elizabeth is privileged to have sung "National Anthem" as a soloist in Nebraska, Minnesota, and California. Her most notable opportunities have included performing for the American League Championship Series game at the Minneapolis Minnesota “Metrodome” and the College World Series in Omaha Nebraska.
Elizabeth has been a member of P.E.O. since 1986 and was WF Chapter President in 2014 and 2015 in Danville California. She volunteers to sing at many P.E.O. functions including the most recent Organization of Chapter YA in Brentwood California. Elizabeth has been a featured soloist at the P.E.O. State Conventions in San Jose, California and Omaha, Nebraska, and an International P.E.O. Convention in San Diego, California. Additional organizations Elizabeth is a member of: CCMTAC, SFNATS, OPF, Mu Phi Epsilon, and Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority.
Elizabeth's most recent awards include Strathmore's Who's Who Worlwide Vocal Education and Performance Professional of the Year 2016, and featured press release in Women of Distinction Magazine 2016. Additional Awards include: Austin Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Recipient, Concerto Competition Winner - Graduate College Level; NATS - National Association Teachers of Singing - Winner Graduate level and Finalist in Undergraduate level. Miss Minnesota - Miss America Scholarship Pageant 1985 and Talent Winner; Miss Austin 1984 and Talent Winner.
As a Philantropist and Recording Artist, Ms. Hunter Ashley has donated many of her recordings and performances, including her Christmas CD "Season of Serenity" to various fundraisers and organizations in need of support. Elizabeth gave a percentage of profits to the NYC Franciscan Order after our Nations tragedy, 911 in 2001; to the families of the victims of Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut December 2012.
Ms. Hunter Ashley continues to donate proceeds from her concerts to many people including the Lwamondo Parish in South Africa in 2012 whom she visited, performed, becoming beloved friends in Christ. She also had the pleasure of recording the lead role in an Original Composition: "The Cure' of Ars" CD for composer Dr. John Vitz at Studio 880 in Oakland California.
Ms. Hunter Ashley is Miss Minnesota 1985 and "Talent Winner" in the 1985 Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant. This led Elizabeth to competing for Miss America in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1985. She began her pageant experience by winning the title of Miss Austin (Minnesota) 1984 and Talent Winner. Prior to those competitions, Ms. Hunter Ashley was a Miss Minnesota State Pageant Singer and dancer. Elizabeth recently returned to Minneapolis where she performed and hosted 2 nights of competition for the 2015 Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant.
Experience
- 2016-2017 Professional of the Year - Performer and Music Educator Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide
- 2010 Hall of Fame Award - Austin High School, Austin, MN
- Soloist with 16 Orchestras throughout US and Europe
- International soloist in Austria and Italy
- Lead Roles in Opera and Musicals in the Bay Area and Midwest
- Recording CD - Soloist on Blackhawk Chorus Christmas CD 2017, 2016, 2015
- Recording CD- Soloist San Ramon Chorale CD - 2018 Spring Concert
- Recording CD- Soloist Belcanto Tour CD- Italy,France, England 2014
- Recording Artist, CD - Season of Serenity-Fantasy Records- Berkeley, CA and
- Recording Artist on Dr. John Vitz CD - Cure' of Ars - Studio 880 Oakland, CA:
- Soloist: Oratorio, Musical, Opera, Cabaret,Concert
- Owns and operates the "Elizabeth Hunter Ashley Performance Studio" since 1998
- San Francisco Girls Chorus - Vocal Teacher -15 years
- Young Women Choral Project- San Francisco- Vocal Teacher - 6 years
- High School Vocal Coach- Monte Vista High School (Danville, CA.) and Acalanes High School (Lafayette, CA)
- Graduate-Level Vocal Coach
- Pageant Training Consultant - Judge - Emcee
- Adjudicator for vocal competitions for NATS and CMEA in California
- Major League Baseball National Anthem Singer
- College World Series National Anthem Singer
- Opera Omaha Company Resident Artist and Chorus Member
- MISS MINNESOTA -MISS AMERICA PAGEANT -- 1985
- MISS MINNESOTA and MISS MINNESOTA Talent Winner -- 1985
- MISS AUSTIN, Austin, Mn.--1984
- University of Kansas -- Bachelor of Music degree
- University of Nebraska -- Master Of Music Degree
- Masters Degree classes mostly completed in Music at University of Minnesota
- Co Founder for Pure Delight Music Art Foundation
- Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity- MTAC - NATS - CMEA - OPF - P.E.O.- Gamma Phi Beta National sorority