Biography

    An active orchestral musician, Ashton is now a member of the Atlanta Ballet as a section horn member. Ashton has advanced as a finalist and runner up in the Airforce Premier Concert Band, as a semifinalist for the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and the U.S. Army Pershing’s Own Ceremonial Band, was named runner-up for Associate Principal Horn with the Fairfax Orchestra, and has been offered a position with the Navy Fleet Bands and Air Force Regional Bands. Ashton has participated in masterclasses with leading horn pedagogues and orchestral musicians including Andrew Bain, Richard King, Cara Kizer, Kate Caliendo, Geoffrey Pilkington, David Byrd marrow, and most recently Radovan Vlatkovic among other renowned New York City musicians. 

Previously, Ashton received a Master of Music in Orchestral Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Richard Deane. At MSM, Ashton performed regularly with the Manhattan School of Music Orchestra and in a wide range of chamber ensembles. Ashton has also earned a Bachelor of Music from the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute, studying under Wei-Ping Chou, and performed extensively with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Opera, and chamber ensembles. Earlier training includes serving as a student in the Governor’s School for the Arts Orchestra in Norfolk, Virginia, as well as member in the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra.

       Ashton dreams to one day be a part of an orchestra that allows him to fulfill his desire to be a professional musician and to create a lifestyle cultivating creativity, openness, and integrity to every musical setting while continuing to maintain artistic curiosity and an appreciation for music of all kinds.