Ashley Townsley, soprano, is a native of Houston, Texas. She graduated with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas. In 2011, Ashley gave the world premiere of Jake Heggie’s Pieces of 9/11: Memories from Houston with Houston Grand Opera. This past season, Ashley made her Opera Arlington debut as Despina in Così fan tutte. Other stage credits include, Stella (A Streetcar named Desire), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Amor (Orfeo ed Euridice), Madame Goldentrill (The Impresario), and Johanna (Sweeney Todd). This summer Ashley toured the Czech Republic as the soprano soloist for UNT Baroque ensemble, Fantasmi where she premiered Milcžinsky’s Oratorium. She has also been featured for works including Mozart’s Krönungsmesse, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. Ashley is a recipient of the Bill and Margot Winspear Opera Scholarship and is currently completing her Artist Certificate with UNT Opera.