Member Since: 4/25/2007
Band Website: ashleyhalltrumpet.com
Influences: My trumpet playing has been guided by some of the most amazing teachers in the country.
I started studying the trumpet with my mother, when I was in the fifth grade. She was a semi-professional french horn player, and could show me the basics.
In high school, I was fortunate enough to study with Allen Bachelder, the former trumpet professor at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA.
In my undergraduate years at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, I was afforded the opportunity to study with three outstanding and unique professors.
In 1999-2000, I was a student of Alan Siebert (who is still the professor of trumpet at CCM).
From 2000-2002, I studied with the Marie Speziale (she is now the head of the brass department at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music). My years with Marie were invaluable. We worked on opening my orchestral sound, developing a consistency of air flow (using a lot of Arnold Jacob's techniques because she was a Jacob's student) that resulted in an even greater freedom of sound.
My final year at CCM, 2002-2003, I studied with the principal trumpeter of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Philip Collins. Mr. Collins was a wonderful mentor and teacher during a year that presented quite a number of interesting playing struggles for me.
From 2003-2005, I continued to discover my gifts as a clinician and teacher, while, at the same time, realizing that I wanted to learn more, and continue to improve and fix more things in my own playing. I found out about a teacher in Boston, Steve Emery, whom I knew shared a common faith to myself, and could also give physical explanation for some of the inconsistencies with my playing. I took a leave of absence from the Dayton Philharmonic in order to study with Steve on a permanent basis. My two years in Boston have yielded tremendous fruit, and I am experiencing a greater freedom and ease in my playing than ever before. What a gift to have these two years to learn and absorb such great knowledge about the techniques of trumpet playing, embouchure development, breath control, and lip dexterity. It is with this knowledge that I proceed in my career with confidence and excitement.
Other influences:
My best friends, and close "family":
My wonderful parents, who love God, love one another, and support me so sacrificially.
My little sister, Lindsay, one of my best friend's and supports! A phenominal elementary music teacher, soprano, and friend.
My best friends, Amanda, Alicia, Kristi, Brooke, Sarah, Kim, Liz, Trista; Your friendship, Godly support, prayers, and accountability are amazing reflections of what true Christian fellowship is all about.
The Hollowood family... My second set of parents and siblings... Let's just say, I'm as comfortable as I get around you guys!
Nathan Tighe, my love and my best friend. Thank you for walking this road with me, for challenging me to fall in love with God and with people more deeply and fully, and for inspiring me with your music, mission work, and life!
Mike and Ruth Brescia: the amazing family that I lived with in Boston! Hospitality to the extreme! Thank you isn't even sufficient!
My church family: Park Street Church, in downtown Boston, and First Christian Assembly of God, in Cincinnati, OH. Thanks for being "real" reflections of Jesus Christ... For not being afraid to show weakness and struggle.
Ken Radnofsky: for his wisdom, friendship, support and ridiculous ability to be a "connector" for so many people.
Dwight and Duane Good: for their generous support of this upcoming worship album! I'm overwhelmed and grateful!
Arnold Culbreath, a saxophonist and pastor in Cincinnati; We spent the summer of 2005 working on "Playing in the Spirit". His words, "Ashley, get out of the "do" and get into the "Be"", are a constant reminder to slow down and "let go, trust the air, and trust God".
Gary Radtke, renowned trumpet mouthpiece maker, has been an adopted "father" for me. His encouragement, his wisdom, his guidance, and his time continue to be an invaluable resource for my career and my life. Check out his website at www.grmouthpieces.com
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None