Teaching Artist Statement

For me, teaching is an opportunity to pass on and share with others my own experiences, insights, education, and love for music. Ultimately, my goal is to help cultivate each student’s unique, musical voice and bring it to full fruition!

I specialize in piano and voice instruction for students of various ages and levels, and each lesson includes practical and theoretical learning. In our time together, we will study instrumental technique, notation, aural skills, music theory fundamentals, performance ability, and repertoire development.

Genres of focus may include classical, pop, rock, jazz, folk, and musical theater. Depending upon student interest, other specializations may include songwriting, audition prep, improvisation, and foreign language diction. Each lesson is personalized to the student’s individual interests and goals.

I am a strong believer that the learning process can and should be enjoyable! I also believe that a good lesson includes psychology and listening, and I promise to make every effort to work with each student’s individual learning style.

Teaching Bio

Ashlyn has been a music educator for over 15 years in both classroom and private instruction seƫngs. Her teaching environments include community and private schools in both western and central Washington as well as in the greater Los Angeles area. She has also been a guest instructor for vocal and songwriting workshops in relation to church worship groups for youth and adults.

Her undergrad training included private and group vocal study under Professor Mia Spencer, Dr. Gayla Blaisdell, Dr. Melissa Schiel, and Professor Vijay Singh. Upon graduation, she continued to take private lessons with Professor Singh with a specific focus on jazz piano training.

Ashlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Central Washington University, a certificate in Recording Technology from Citrus College, and a Graduate Diploma in Film and Game Scoring from the European Academy of Fine Arts.

Performance Bio

During her time at CWU, Ashlyn enjoyed performing in ensembles such as Women’s Choir, University Chorale, Vocal Jazz, and a student-led a cappella group. She also regularly led worship for a campus ministry and for her church.

She then spent four years in Los Angeles where she worked in music education and audio production as well as enjoyed many performance opportunities. In addition to playing shows as a solo artist, she also sang and played keys, recorded and composed, and toured nationally with the urban folk band Welcome Home. Some of the more notable shows played together have included Rocketown in Nashville, TN, and SXSW in 2019. The band also collaborated on composing projects for Signature Kitchen Suite and on an NFT with the Harlem Globetrotters. Though they are cities apart now, they continue to collaborate and make music together.

Now back in the Seattle area, Ashlyn continues to stay active in the Pacific Northwest music scene through solo artist shows, community worship groups, and freelance musician gigs as well as through solo and collaborative recording and composing projects. Her music can be found through her website: www.ashlynnicolewilson.com. When not doing music, Ashlyn enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband, playing strategy board games, and fellowshipping with friends over a good meal!