Ashleigh Bowen was first exposed to music at age five and a half when she began taking piano lessons with Mrs. Margaret Allen, founder of Allen Music. When Ashleigh was nine, she started playing the violin, and it was not until she was ten that she truly discovered her love for music. That year, she had gone to her high school’s production of Annie and was completely blown away by what she thought was a soundtrack. When she found out after the performance that it was not only live musicians playing but also high school students, she realized that she wanted to become a music teacher to be able to create and share beautiful music with the world.
While studying with Mrs. Allen, she participated in R.A.C.E. Examinations, NYSSMA solo festival, and local piano recitals at Palisades Presbyterian Church, Rockland Conservatory, and Finkelstein Memorial Library. At age sixteen, she played for the elderly at the Sunrise Senior Living Center as well as for patients and staff in the lobby of Good Samaritan Hospital. After seeing how music brought joy to people’s faces on various occasions, Ashleigh was inspired to pursue a master’s degree in music therapy. Ashleigh also participated in the NYSSMA solo festival on violin as well as Senior All County. A week prior to Area All State, Ashleigh was asked to accompany the orchestra on piano. Given this great opportunity, she declined due to Cross Country Regionals, a meet she had been training for weeks with her team. While in high school, Ashleigh had the great fortune of being able to participate in Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Pit Orchestra on violin and would occasionally be asked to play piano in Symphonic Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, and Guitar Ensemble as well.
At LIU Post, Ashleigh studied violin with Dr. Dale Stuckenbruck and voice with Professor Neal Harrelson. While at Post, she participated in Symphonic Orchestra, String Ensemble, Merriweather Consort, and Chorus. Ashleigh had the great opportunity to perform in Ireland with LIU Post Chorus and String Ensemble as well as at Carnegie Hall with LIU Post Chorus. In addition to her rigorous music schedule, she was a member of the honors program at Post and completed her honors thesis on the evolution of the piano. Ashleigh was also an avid member and secretary of LIU Post Annual Haunted Mansion Fundraiser as well as the treasurer and vice president of the Collegiate Chapter of American String Teachers Association at Post. Ashleigh currently teaches lessons on piano, violin, and voice to students of varying ages in two studios.