Singer Spotlight: Ashley Armstrong

http://www.ashleyarmstrongmezzo.com/

Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?

I’m kind of from all over the place, but home is Winterset, IA (Home of the Duke 😉). I started out singing, playing trumpet, and playing piano, and in high school, I decided that I wanted to be the next Elphaba after I saw Wicked on broadway. My parents told me that in order to do that, I would have to go to college (lol). So I enrolled as a voice major at the University of Northern Iowa. On day one, my teacher said, “Well, we don’t really do that here, but let me show you what it is we do and you can see what you think.” Ultimately, I graduated with a double major in classical voice and theatre and went on to receive my Masters in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?

Besides “learn your damn languages”?! Understanding that half of this business is your ability to network with people. Because, as important as it is to be able to sing a million flashy arias, it’s even more important to be a good colleague and someone that companies want to work with.

Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.

I think that the biggest obstacle for most young singers right now, myself included, is debt. The amount of debt one has to take on just to start a musical career is so great, and many beginning singers are made to believe that they have to participate in expensive pay-to-sing programs (in addition to their degree programs) in order to have a successful career. Personally, I was never in a financial position to forego an income for multiple weeks at a time and have come to learn that, despite what some may think, you do not need these programs to have a career. That’s not to say that training isn’t necessary, but there are a number of ways to begin working that do not require an out-of-pocket expense to begin building your resume. Personally, I connected with a variety of storefront and local companies in the Chicago area that provided me with the sort of springboard materials (ie reviews, production photos, etc.) I needed to begin the next chapter of my career.

What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?

Olga in Eugene Onegin holds a very special place in my heart, and as one of four sisters, I’m currently falling in love with Jo in Little Women.

If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?

Don’t forget why you do what you do.

Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?

Literally everything, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that no amount of stressing gets the job done as well as putting in the work.

Where can we catch you performing next?

I’m currently in residence with Opera Idaho, where I will be seen next covering Musetta in La Bohème on Valentine's Day weekend, and singing Sister Lilliane (and covering Sister Helen Prejean) in Dead Man Walking in April. If you want to know what’s happening after that, check out my website!