Voice
Ashley Nicole Dawson is lyric coloratura soprano who has been studying voice for over a decade. She is a graduate of Ball State University and Liberty University, where she studied with Jon Truitt and Adelaide Muir Trombetta. Ashley has also been studying voice for over 8 years while under the teaching Dr. John VanCura. During her studies, Ashley has performed various roles such as Norina in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Miss Wordsworth in Britten’s Albert Herring, and Sally in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Ashley has also performed in numerous scenes programs as Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte, Adele in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.
Ashley has received high acclaim for her dramatic and bright vocal flair of bel canto repertoire and was awarded 1st place in the Ball State Graduate Vocal Competition as well as Junior Vocalist of the Year at Liberty University. She seeks to inspire other young artists to find their sound and love their bodies through song and social media.
Ashley’s teaching philosophy starts with letting students know they are in a safe space where they are free to make mistakes and ask questions without fear. They are guided toward safe vocal technique supported by peer-reviewed study and to learn how their voice was made to function. Professor Dawson seeks to challenge the student to find the deeper meaning of the musical choices and text and sometimes how that relates to theirs or another’s life. She seeks to amplify the voices of everyone with the belief that each student has something special to bring to any piece of music.
Students’ efforts will always be met with encouragement and victories both large and small will be celebrated. Professor Dawson is dedicated to supporting, challenging, and lifting the unique voices that must be protected and preserved.