Music – Chicago
Ashley Laschelle Stevenson, born and raised in Chicago, IL, has been vocally expressing herself since the young age of four. As a youth, she listened to many of the soulful oldies played at home by her parents, which have come to largely define who she is as an artist today. Although her talent was presented at a very early stage in her life, it was at nine years old that Ashley began vocal training for jazz performance. Performing with the All City Youth Chorus lasted for six years and carried on through high school where she then performed with the All City High School Chorus. To enhance her talent and make continuous steps toward fulfilling her dream of becoming an internationally appreciated voice, she continued her education at Columbia College Chicago. It was there that Ashley truly found her voice and grew comfortable enough to push past boundaries
After releasing \"The Introduction\" EP in 2011, Ashley released her \"Letting Go\" album in 2013. In addition to her solo endeavors, Ashley has padded her resume by singing in theatrical productions and providing background vocals for several of Chicago’s finest independent artists, including Sarah Marie Young, Pat Smillie, and Pennjamin Bannekar. She has also been recognized as the first African-American soloist at the Burnaby Lyric Opera in British Columbia, Canada. Ashley hopes to reach supporters that can strongly relate to the message being delivered, as well as the passion she possesses for music and her desire to help the youth through the arts.