Praised for her “charismatic presence” (Chicago Classical Review) and “velvety voice” (Chicago Tribune), “powerhouse mezzo-soprano” Ashley Kay Armstrong’s “star power” (Picture this Post) “lights up the stage” (The Gazette) while winning over the hearts of audiences throughout the nation. During the 2021/2022 season, Ms. Armstrong makes her debut with North Shore Music Festival as The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors and returns to Opera Santa Barbara for her role debut as Hannah After in Kaminsky’s As One. She closed out her 2020/2021 season as Hansel in her company debut with Bel Cantanti Opera in their filmed production of Hansel and Gretel, and was also featured as the Mezzo soloist for Cedar Rapids Opera’s Songs of Isolation and Connection. Additionally, she was scheduled to make her role debuts as Jo March in Adamo’s Little Women with Opera Santa Barbara (cancelled due to Covid-19); and Carrie Pipperidge in CRO’s production of Carousel (cancelled due to Covid-19). During her 2019/2020 season as an Emerging Artist with Opera Idaho, she made her role debut as Javotte in Manon, covered Musetta in La Bohème, and was scheduled to sing Sister Lilliane, and cover Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking (cancelled due to COVID-19). Other Highlights of 2020 include Ms. Armstrong’s role debut as Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with CRO, and being honored as a Semi-Finalist for the American Prize in Art Song. Ms. Armstrong’s 2018/2019 season featured her as a Chrisman Studio Artist with OSB. There she made her company debut as Olga/Eugene Onegin. She also performed Rebecca Nurse/The Crucible and Véronique/Le docteur Miracle. Her other notable appearances include Jenny Diver/The Threepenny Opera, Meg Brockie/Brigadoon; Lucrezia/Lucrezia (Bolcom); Alto/Song from the Uproar (Mazzoli); The Wife/The Women (Pasatieri); Suzette/Bluebeard’s Waiting Room (Granger); and Ottavia/L’incoronazione di Poppea. Currently a student of Allan Glassman, Ms. Armstrong is managed by Encompass Arts. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, and a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Theatre from the University of Northern Iowa, where studied with Jeffrey Brich. Also a student of yoga, Ms. Armstrong is a 200hr registered yoga teacher, fostering a curiosity for movement and body awareness in artists.