Soprano, Ashley Townsley, is a native of Houston, Texas. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas and McNeese State University. In 2012, Ms. Townsley made a significant debut with the Houston Grand Opera, giving the world the premiere of Jake Heggie’s Pieces of 9/11: Memories from Houston. Since then, she has performed roles such as Amor in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice (UNT Opera), Pamina in Die Zauberflöte (LAHSOW), Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro (UNT Opera), Stella in Previn's A Streetcar named Desire (UNT Opera), La Fée in Massenet's Cendrillon (UNT Opera), and Despina in Così fan tutte (Opera Arlington).
This season, Ashley makes her debut with the The Dallas Opera, taking on the role of Despina in John Davies' The Three Little Pigs and The Rose in the main stage production of Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince. On the concert stage Ashley returns to perform with the professional choral group, Orpheus Chamber Singers, in their holiday series, Christmas with Orpheus. Other concert engagements include a list of collaborative performances with pianist, Sara Steele and Mary Dibbern.
Performance highlights of last season include performing with UNT Opera as La Feé in their production of Massenet's Cendrillon. Last summer, Ashley performed with early music ensemble, Fantasmi, as the soprano soloist on their Festival Baroko 2023 Czech Republic Tour. While on tour, the group gave the premiere of Daniel Milcžinsky's Oratorium on Czech National Radio.
Ashley has distinguished herself in concert repertoire as a consistent and reliable soloist, appearing in works including Mozart’s Krönungsmesse, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with various orchestras and ensembles including the UNT Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Choral Foundation, and Lake Charles Messiah Chorus.
Ashley holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance with a related field in Opera an Artist Certificate from the University of North Texas where she studied with tenor, Richard Croft and soprano, Carol Wilson.
