Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Music has always been a deep passion of mine, even before I realized it for myself. I come from a very musical family, from my aunt and uncle who are profound Jamaican reggae artists and producers, to my sisters, who are all strong vocalists. Music has always been around me. I can recall my dad booming Bob Marley in our living room.
I remember how I could feel every chord, lyric, dynamic level, and nuance of the music wrap its arms around me as if it were a warm blanket on the coldest day in winter. Music has always been comfort and home for me. I always knew that music was going to be my everything– career, hobby, passion, and escape.
I have been singing as early as I can remember. I would always perform for my family and friends, not realizing the talent that I actually held. I learned my first instrument, the trombone, in elementary school. At first, band started out just being a fun group to be apart of. I also thought trombone was not for me but was just something to “do”. For example, I was in the Stone Mountain High School Marching Red Storm as a middle school student and participated in different events around DeKalb County. Also, being a female trombonist was somewhat “rare” at the time, so I received a lot of attention for it. However, I realized early on that every time I played or sang music in any capacity, I felt at peace. It became my escape; something that I desperately needed, as a fish needs water. This deep appreciation dug deeper as I picked up my other instruments throughout my educational matriculation.
As I became more engaged, music and its performance became home for me and something that I truly knew that I would do for the rest of my life. It took me from elementary school band to college band to the freelance musician/music educator you see today. I can honestly say that music has opened multiple doors of various opportunities. I have been privileged to have opportunities with my music such as performing in the Honda Battle of the Bands three different times, being cast in movies, traveling around not just nationally but worldwide, performing with different types of groups, becoming a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Incorporated, and so much more. I cannot stop humbly thanking the Lord for blessing me with the gift of music.
My motivation to educate music transpired from my middle/high school band director and mentor, Mr. Harold E. Riley. He was such a legendary music educator and had a way of teaching that was like no other. He drew the best out of myself and my peers, and it was life-changing to experience that. I told myself that I would work to have that profound of an effect on people. I knew that I would end up studying Music Education when he taught and helped me conduct one of our pieces for my senior project presentation. I remember feeling so nervous, but I enjoyed every bit of that nervousness. From that moment, I knew that is where I needed to stand. As I came to this realization, I began to teach instrumental lessons in high school and became section leader, starting in my ninth grade year. I just enjoyed teaching, showing people what could be done with perseverance, diligence, lots of practice, passion, all combined with the piece of metal (or plastic) that they held within their hands. I also enjoyed seeing the “light bulbs” turn on when a student achieved a task. It was a meaningful feeling and showed me my true purpose with the gifts that the Lord has blessed me with.
When I was in college, the music not only became a passion but my life. I had many more prominant music educators that I learned and gained so much from: my college band director, Mr. Ellis, my private instructor, Mr. Celmer; my jazz band instructor, Dr. Williams; and my esteemed list of band directors: Dr. S. Reid, Dr. J. Robinson, Dr. B. McKnight, and Mr. Knighten. When in college, you could not tell me I was not going to be a band director. Everything spelled “band director” when it came to me. I stuck under those educators and learned their teaching styles in order for me to create my own. Upon graduation, I received my first music education position with teaching middle school band and choir. It seemed like a dream. I loved it, but I realized that I wanted more. With this thought in mind, I decided to open up my own studio, where students could be themselves, learn music on their own pace and become the greatest versions of themselves.
Currently, I play and work with very talented ensembles, such as Orchestra Noir and the Georgia State University Perimeter Community Wind Ensemble, to maintain and extend my performance chops. I teach as a freelance music educator, so I teach on my time and in my own schedule. I also teach brass and piano at the Salvation Army Community Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia. I not only venture in my own personal goals, but I balance my family and personal life. I may be very busy, but I could not be any happier doing exactly what I love. I have dedicated my life to music. It is a dedication I am most profoundly proud of. Who can actually say that they enjoy every second of their jobs? I play and teach instruments and music all day. 😀
In closing, I will end with my favorite quote from Plato: “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – ASW
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
With any journey, is there ever really a smooth road? In my opinion, that is what makes the journey worthy, passionate, and memorable. It is my belief that every moment, every turn, and every person in our lives are brought into our lives for a specific reason. Sometimes we consciously know why they come into our lives, and sometimes we do not. It is most beneficial for our universe when those moments of people and experiences happen for us, whether we can see it in that moment or not.
I have had numerous struggles in my life, such as being sexually abused as a teenager. Not only going through these devastating events were difficult, but going through them and not being able to express myself verbally was and continues to be the worst part of the struggles. This is the first time I have opened up about those dark times. No one should ever go through those struggles, and definitely not feel alone either.
However, the loss of a very profound person in my life was a hard struggle. When I lost one of my best friends in 2015, Tiffany “Tip” Wilder, I literally wanted to give up. Tiffany and I were “two peas in a pod” when I started at South Carolina State University through music as well. She played the clarinet and I played the trombone. We were ALWAYS around each other in our own world but so passionate about music and the musical ensembles at South Carolina State University. Our common passion was music, so I believe we connected through that without even knowing it. We had so many memories from both going through the Marching 101 band as freshmen, to dealing with growing up and being our own people. I was in my last year at South Carolina State University when I received the call that I continue to play in my head to this day. I literally felt my soul drift out of my body, which is a feeling that is unforgettable. I do not want to go into deeper details, however, just know that it is a feeling that I never want to feel again. I remember a rush of different emotions covering my whole body. I had just seen her and made plans with her, and now she is gone? How could one be a beautiful person but leave this life so abruptly and without a trace? I had my withdrawal papers ready to leave my university because I physically just did not have the strength (or so I thought) to continue.
Another detrimental moment in my life was losing the very man who not only was my mentor but my band director at Stone Mountain Middle School and Stone Mountain High School, Mr. Harold Riley. He was my most influential role model in music and in life. You could feel his passion for music and for teaching just by standing within inches away from him. If it were not for him being in my life, I do not believe I would have truly noticed my talents and what my actual purpose was on this earth. It was insane because when I lost him, it was as if all my musicality went into this musician’s block. I did not even know that “musician’s block” was a thing…it is sort of the equivalent of writer’s block, where no matter what you do, it is as if the music will not come to you. I believe that because of the profound loss in my life and different events that surrounded that, I was stuck in the middle of grief and did not know how to pull myself out. Everything that I had worked towards went into this state of stagnancy. It was very hard to pull myself out of that state because at that time, I could turn to no one else but myself and the Lord.
It took a lot of prayer, tears, and so much healing within myself to at least get myself out of the dark places. Through these detrimental moments, I found entities that worked to draw me out of that place: my music and deep strength. One day, I just opened my eyes and got some manuscript music staff paper, a pencil, and my instruments. With those materials, I allowed them to let the music take me into a place where I could just let go and be free in a positive way. I wrote some of my best music, lyrics, and performed my best through those times–it was my medicine. It was then when I realized that indeed music is my hobby, career choice, etc. but it is also my strength and my healer. I have found that in our darkest moments reaps our brightest stories. I honestly would not have been able to make it through those dark moments without the Lord, my music, and my amazing, supportive parents, siblings, and friends.
I allow my music and teaching to live for Tiffany and Mr. Riley, and I continue to do that today. I love you guys more than you ever know. Thank you for being apart of my life. Please continue to make beautiful music in paradise. I hope I am making you proud. – ASW
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Musically Yours – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company is called “Musically Yours, LLC”. I chose this name because at the end of every email, letter, etc. I always use these words in my closing. In my opinion, it shows humility and that musically, I am yours in any way that can be beneficial to you. It reflects my adaptability and quality teaching style, which I think is so important for education, especially in music. I work to give every one of my students one thousand percent of myself in every session and moment. It took me a while to come up with this name, however, it most expressed me in every struggle, experience, and event that has happened in my life.
I provide private and group instrumental music lessons to people of all learning styles, backgrounds, and more for an affordable price. I specialize in flute, trumpet, low brass, vocals, and piano. I not only teach the instrument itself, but I teach music in multiple avenues, such as music history, ear training, arranging/composing, music theory, and much more, in a way that is relatable, appreciated, and comprehendable for my students. I also play these instruments myself in my different ensembles and in my spare time, so I can help my clients more in-depth with tricks and trades that will aid in their best performance and education.
I also have multiple options of the location that the student would like to have their lessons. I provide the following options for private or group lessons: in client home, in my music studio, in a separate music studio, and virtually (over the internet using technology and live video streaming). Some people work better in the comfort of their own home. I provide in client home lessons. I travel to the customers with all of my gadgets, and it feels like a classroom, but it is in your home. Some students like to use technology and use that as apart of their venue. I provide virtual music lessons. Others like being in a separate venue. I also provide lessons in my personal music studio and another venue within a music store. I am all about bringing out the best in my students. One’s environment has a lot to do with the product that is being produced. I also work with my student and their availabilities. For example, there may be parents who work long hours and just do not have the time to take their child to trumpet lessons. How great is it for the trumpet lessons to come to you?
I also chose to give back to the community that raised me through music, education, life, and everything in between. I always wanted to come back to my community with my company because I can relate to the people of this community and I owe it to East Atlanta for reaping me into the musician that I am today. I want people to know that you can put your mind to anything you desire, despite where you are from and your income bracket.
I am most proud of my students. My driving force is their successes, my connection and uprising of the students that have been apart of my studio, since the very beginning before it became “Musically Yours, LLC”. I love witnessing the individual goals being conquered by them. I have had students conquer goals on multiple levels, such as auditioning and making the Georgia Music Education Association (GMEA) All-State Band, obtaining that college band music scholarships that helped provide funds for the post-secondary education, performing for their families’ Christmas party, and so much more.
I have so many stories but one that comes to mind in this moment, I once had a student who loved the tuba/sousaphone from afar and finally decided to take the chance to learn it. He had graduated from high school and his dream was to play the sousaphone in his college marching band. We worked for a whole summer before he went off to college. Of course, that journey was not easy for him, especially when you have a large instrument that you are not only learning to play but learning to play in marching band. However, we worked endlessly to get him to a strong level by the time he left that August. He practiced and worked very hard individually as well, which was a great motivation. The moment I will never forget was when he sent me pictures of him in his band uniform and strapped up with his sousaphone. I felt tears come to my eyes because he said “I never would have been able to do this without you, Ms. Ashley. You saw more in me than I saw in myself. Thank you.” Such profound and unforgettable words. He still a member of his university band having the time of his life with the sousaphone on his shoulder, preparing for concert season.
The personable and unique experience that one receives when being taught in my studio is what sets me apart from other music education institutions. My overall passion for music is prominent and the peak of my purpose. If one does not have an honest and true passion for what they do, why would they be doing it? I also have the experience to provide the best instrumental education possible. Although I am still under 30, I have profoundly dedicated my life to music and it continues to be an important part of my daily diet of life. I also work to make sure that every student is well rounded in music and are versatile in every genre. I also always work to learn the new and advancing moments in the music education world. I constantly upgrade and advance with the times. I also have been teaching music for the past 15+ years, so I have worked with myriads of students of all ages, backgrounds, learning styles and so much more.
I am currently working towards my Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology, which is a very unique way of discovering the hidden elements of music in non-Westernized culture. With my education, I work towards building a unique, creative, and a broader approach when working with people. I have also learned to adapt and work with all students because everyone deserves to be given the chance to be great.
I also ensure that every student that touches my studio gets a personable, friendly, and meaningful education. I believe that one can achieve the greatest desires and fates as long as they are willing to work for it and have strong mentors to support them. I can honestly say that this thought is the core value and aspirations of the Musically Yours, LLC.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I always knew I had the gift of music through my performance, but who would I really be benefiting? I want to do more than just perform. Performances are sometimes only temporary. I will give back and build humanity. Save the world in the best way I know how– through music. I am looking forward to the different ventures I have planned, such as a community center of the arts, working with different types of creative arts, such as dance, drama, visual art, and more. I am the type of person who does not like to stay comfortable and conform. My goals involve putting everything I do towards the community, raising scholarships for students, and so much more. On a personal aspect, building my craft and brand, starting up my own ensembles and other ventures are definitely in the works as we speak. I am very excited for the future! It is only just the beginning!
Contact Info:
- Phone: (770)-696-8676
- Email: music.guru813@gmail.com
- Instagram: @musically.yours813
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alwaysmusicallyyours
Image Credit:
William Iam Ellis, Ashley S. Williams, Musically Yours, LLC.
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