RASHIDA ASHLEY
Opera Vocalist and Multidisciplinary Cultural Artist
Hybrid Musical and Intellectual Programming for Universities and Cultural Institutions
Available for lectures, conferences, recitals, and special engagements.
Signature Programs
The Flow Experience
A hybrid musical and reflective experience for universities and cultural institutions integrating opera, original music, and collective participation.
The Robeson Flow Experience
A historically grounded musical and intellectual reflection inspired by the artistic and moral legacy of Paul Robeson.
Opera and Art Song Performance
Curated classical repertoire for recitals, conferences, and cultural gatherings.
Custom Programming
Tailored performances aligned with conference themes and institutional goals.
Ideal For:
Ideal for:
University conferences
Academic departments
Student organizations
Cultural institutions
Leadership summits
Curated private events
More than a performance. A presence.
Rashida Ashley’s work bridges classical opera with contemporary storytelling, creating performances that feel both grounded and transcendent. Each engagement is thoughtfully curated to align with the tone, audience, and intention of the event.
Ideal for:
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University conferences and academic gatherings
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Cultural institutions and arts organizations
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Curated salons, galleries, and private events
Programs range from intimate selections to extended recital-style performances.
Artistic Philosophy
Opera, at its core, is about embodiment, emotion, and human experience.
Rashida’s approach honors tradition while inviting accessibility, presence, and connection, meeting audiences where they are.
This is not performance as spectacle.
It is performance as encounter.
Credentials & Highlights
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MFA, Creative Writing — New York University
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Operatic training at NYU Steinhardt
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Performances across academic, cultural, and creative spaces
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Featured in interdisciplinary and conference settings
Let’s Align
To inquire about a performance or discuss a potential engagement, please use the form below.
Inquire About a Performance
HER Bio...
Rashida Ashley is a classically trained soprano, multidisciplinary cultural artist, and creator of The Flow Experience, a hybrid musical and intellectual reflection designed for universities and cultural institutions.
With a foundation rooted in classical opera, creative writing, and embodied artistic practice, Rashida brings emotional depth, intellectual insight, and intentional presence to every performance. Her work bridges worlds from opera stages to modern soundscapes, from historical reflection to communal experience inviting audiences into sound that resonates and meaning that lingers.
A proud graduate of New York University with an MFA in Creative Writing and advanced opera study at NYU Steinhardt, Rashida has performed across New York and beyond, including celebrated engagements such as the Paul Robeson Conference at Columbia University. She also produces original R&B and soul music inspired by devotion, discipline, and the body of artistic voice.
Opera Performances...
Original Music....
Classical Performance Engagements
Available For:
Retreats Recitals and concert series
Cultural and academic gatherings
Special events and curated private engagements
As a classically trained soprano, Rashida offers refined opera and art song performances tailored to the tone and intention of each engagement. Programs may be curated from standard repertoire or customized to align with the theme of the event.
TESTIMONIALS
“Rashida Ashley participated in my summer vocal institute for the last two summers. She has a very pretty, highly functional soprano voice. Her voice is clear in timbre and agility. She has good intonation and range. As a singer she has limitless potential. I was impressed with her ability to take instruction and learn new process skills as a classical singer and she exhibits her compassion for the music and all of its aspects. Rashida is a very good colleague, has a very strong work ethic and is academically excellent. It is my pleasure to support her in all her endeavors going forward. Please contact me if further information is needed."
Dr. Sherry Overholt/ Director of Vocal and Opera Studies, Queens College / DMA Yale University