Ashley has shaped the technical and artistic development of dancers across university, conservatory, and professional settings. His students have been accepted into elite programs including The Juilliard School, Boston Conservatory, UNCSA, Arts Umbrella, and USC Kaufman, and have gone on to establish successful careers with major U.S. and international dance companies, on Broadway, and throughout the commercial dance industry.
From 2019 to 2025, he served as Artistic Director of the UNCSA Classical Ballet and Contemporary Intensives. During this tenure, he founded Dance | Connection Now, a pre-professional training program; launched the Performance Project Dance Company; and developed the UNCSA Choreographic Institute to support and foster emerging choreographic voices in the field. He also held a two-year appointment as Visiting Professor at UNCSA, earning a nomination for the Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of his impact in the classroom and studio.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Chapman University
Elon University
The Limón Institute
Steps On Broadway
Escuela Superior de Danza Sinaloa
Earl Mosley Diversity of Dance
Houston School of Visual and Performing Arts
The Dash Academy
The Dallas Conservatory
Kanyok Arts Initiative
Dance Device Lab
I believe in a student-centered approach to dance education, grounded in a strong technical foundation while cultivating artistic development, versatility, and adaptability to the changing landscape of the dance industry. I aim to create a space for dancers to explore, guided by mentorship that encourages curiosity, fosters creative risk-taking, and nurtures each student’s unique artistic voice while providing the tools and discipline necessary for success.