A Boston native, Asha began playing violin and viola at age six and attended the New England Conservatory extension division where she studied privately with Boston Symphony Orchestra member Michael Zaretsky. Many years of classical training followed until she ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in music from Wellesley College. Upon graduation, she headed to New York City where she plunged into the world of "alternative" string music and began studying with Julie Lyonn Lieberman. In 2004, Asha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time music career on her electric 7-string Viper violin. In May 2006, Asha joined Porcelain, a rock band originally from Australia that is signed to Universal. They are currently recording their debut album due out in Summer 2007. Additionally she has toured with Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) performing in his recent production, Van Helsing's Curse, and has performed with the Roger Daltrey (The Who), Jeff “Skunk†Baxter (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan), Jon Anderson (YES) and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Madison Square Garden. She recently finished a US tour with Gnarls Barkley and opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As a breast cancer survivor at age 24, Asha is also active in spreading awareness to young women, and her story has been featured in many national magazines as well as on The Today Show, Lifetime and the Montel Williams show. She has organized numerous benefit concerts to raise money for breast cancer, and if you wish to contact her about a benefit concert, you can visit her personal site at www.ashamevlana.com.
