At the age of 13 she was accepted into the studio of
Dr. Stephen Thomas, the Head of the Music Department, at California State University Stanislaus. While under his tutelage, she participated in the Certificate of Merit for four years. She was judged on four advanced pieces played by memory (one from each Musical Period), scales, arpeggios, and sight reading. Certification also included a substantial written theory exam which Ashley passed all four years. Based on the superior performance of her repertoire, she was invited to play in the Branch Honors Recital two years in a row.
For the last two years of high school, she was the organist for a small congregation of her church. She also accompanied vocalists, church choirs, and performed piano solos. During her senior year of high school, she taught two intermediate students in her home. Ashley was also invited to be the soloist at her Baccalaureate service for High School Graduation.
Dr. Stephen Thomas, the Head of the Music Department, at California State University Stanislaus. While under his tutelage, she participated in the Certificate of Merit for four years. She was judged on four advanced pieces played by memory (one from each Musical Period), scales, arpeggios, and sight reading. Certification also included a substantial written theory exam which Ashley passed all four years. Based on the superior performance of her repertoire, she was invited to play in the Branch Honors Recital two years in a row.
For the last two years of high school, she was the organist for a small congregation of her church. She also accompanied vocalists, church choirs, and performed piano solos. During her senior year of high school, she taught two intermediate students in her home. Ashley was also invited to be the soloist at her Baccalaureate service for High School Graduation.
Ashley participated in the Sylvia M. Ghiglieri Piano Competition in 2004. Near the end of 2005, Ashley competed in the Merced Symphony Youth Audition. She won the competition which enabled her to be the guest soloist with the Merced Symphony, performing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor at the age of 17.
Ashley auditioned at Brigham Young University to be in the Piano Performance major in 2005. Over 200 students auditioned and Ashley was one of the 20 accepted that year. She started studying with Dr. Richard Anderson her Freshman year. Although she loved playing the piano, she decided to explore some other areas of study while continuing to take lessons from Dr. Anderson on the side. She got her Bachelor of Science in Family Finance, with a Mathematics minor. Ashley took several music classes at the University including an Organ class taught by Shinji Inagi.
While in college, Ashley went on a Study Abroad to Jerusalem where she met her husband. They finished school and then moved to Chicago where they had two beautiful little girls. She enjoys being able to stay home and be a full-time mom. The Carters recently moved to Fruit Heights, UT where Ashley is excited to continue her piano studio.