Ashley is from Dalkeith, Ontario, in the county of Glengarry, a hotbed of Scottish culture in Canada and home of the well-known Glengarry Highland Games.When she was 10 years old, Ashley began playing the fiddle and proceeded to win many awards at fiddle competitions throughout Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. At age 14, she was invited to play at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship as a Junior Showcase artist, an honor given to only four young people across Canada each year.In the summer of 2002, Ashley released her debut CD From the Heart of Glengarry. Following the CD release ceilidh ("kay-lee", Gaelic word for musical gathering) on the MacLeod family farm, many new and exciting opportunities opened up for her.In the spring of 2003, Ashley performed with the four-time world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band as their fiddler on a cross-Canada tour. In early May of 2003, Ashley joined Celtic rock band Hadrian's Wall, playing at many festivals and Highland games events across North America.Later on in September of 2003, Ashley performed with the Ottawa Police Services Pipe Band as part of a Canadian presence asked to entertain at Carnegie Hall in New York City for a September 11th Memorial.In 2004, Ashley made a guest appearance on CMT (Country Music Television) with rising country music sensation Johnny Reid.
In the spring of 2005, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band requested Ashley's expertise on the fiddle and keyboards for their recent recording On Home Ground, Volume I, and for the upcoming release of Volume II in 2006. Later on that fall, Ashley opened for the original members of the Seven Nations band called CLAN NA GAEL on a tour of the United States.Ashley's much-anticipated second CD was released in August 2006. Hold Fast, named after the motto of Clan MacLeod, was appropriately celebrated by another ceilidh on the MacLeod Family farm.On many occasions, Ashley accompanies other Celtic bands and musicians such as Neil Emberg, The Brigadoons, Paddy Kelly, and Dave Anthony.Along with her travels, Ashley gives private instruction in her home for fiddle, step-dancing and piano accompaniment to thirty students. She also gives fiddle workshops upon request.She is currently studying math and music at Carleton University in Ottawa.
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