About Ashley Crawford
Ashley Crawford is a Violin & Piano instructor and performer who studies at Shenandoah Conservatory, under award-winning violinist, Akemi Takayama. In high school, Ashley was the principal second violinist in the Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra, and went on to win the senior division of PVYO's 2019 concerto competition. In 2020 and 2021, she was the principal second violinist in the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and was featured as a soloist in SU's production of The Last Five Years. She is also the first prize winner of the Charleston International Music Competition, a silver medalist in the 2021 North American Virtuoso International Competition, and a bronze medalist in the 2021 Kings Peak International Competition.
Ashley has attended multiple summer music festivals including the Eastern Music Festival, the National Philharmonic's Senior String Institute, the Castleton Music Festival, Frostburg's Summer Music Academy, and the National Music Festival in Chestertown, MD. She has had several masterclasses with famous musicians such as Tchaikovsky Competition winner Eric Silberger and the Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet.
Passionate about all aspects of performing, Ashley is involved in musical theatre, orchestra, chamber music, and solo performance, and has performed all over the region. Teaching is also one of Ashley's greatest passions. In 2019, she completed two orchestral internships with elementary, middle, and high school aged students. Her first private student even won an award for most improved string player at her school. Ashley is also involved in Shenandoah's chapter of the American String Teacher Association.
Ashley is also a piano instructor who works with students of all ages, and she completed her studies in this area at Shenandoah as well. She enjoys teaching musical fundamentals on this instrument and the capacity piano has for conveying theory concepts with ease. Along with emphasizing good rhythm and technique development, Ashely also loves to explore the vast library of fun pieces and repertoire available on the instrument.
Outside of teaching, Ashley is dedicated to serving her church and spending time with loved ones.
