Bio:
Amanda Ashley, raised in Holtsville, Long Island, began writing and composing at the early age of fourteen, and was performing solo by the age of sixteen in local coffee houses. After graduating Fredonia State University of New York, Amanda found her way into the Rochester, NY community as a local performer, and musician's event coordinator. Amanda's footprint on the Rochester music community stems from years of performing, hosting and organizing a plethora of social opportunities which encourage growth, community, and education; all while providing a platform for artists to be showcased.
Amanda's musical compositions embrace a variety of styles and influences. Her unique sound is a contemporary blend of Pop, Soul, Rhythm and Blues. With heartfelt execution, Amanda has undergone years of touring and performing throughout the East Coast, Southern parts of the United States, and Northern California in promotion of her two studio album releases with her band Amanda Ashley Trio ("Metamorphosis" 2014) and ("Living Dead" 2015), and singles "Perfect Sunday" and "Leaves" produced by Mike Gladstone (2019, 2021) and "Home" (2020). In current times, Amanda's writing and compositional focus has been with her original duo project, "SHADES" (www.shadesmakesmusic.com) also featuring vocalist and co-writer, Abbie Riggins. As SHADES, the two released their first single "The Lies You Believe" (2022) and are currently following up with a recording project set to be released January of 2025.
2020-2021 Amanda served as writer and host for Podcast and Live Videocast "Afternoon Cocktail Talk Show," (www.afternooncocktail.show) which featured live performances and candid interviews with National and International Singer-Songwriters, entrepreneurs and various causes. Through a collection of perspective, Afternoon Cocktail delivered inspirational, educational and thought-provoking entertainment that encourages awareness, self care, kindness, and mental wellness. Amanda was also a featured monthly columnist for Rochester Woman Online (www.rochesterwomanonline.com), under the same title "Afternoon Cocktail" which expressed and embraced sentiments of gratitude, self exploration and self worth.
Amanda presently serves as the Program Director of 501 C. Non-for-profit, Girls Rock Rochester, (www.girlsrockrochester.org) a youth empowerment, music education program dedicated to using music creation and performance as a tool for cultivating self confidence in girls, trans, and LGBTQ youth, ages 5 to 17 years. The program's intentions are to provide year round support and a safe space where authenticity is celebrated, and where children are able to creatively express and explore their greatest potential. Our year round programs, instrument rental, and signature Summer Camps are offered on sliding scale tuition in effort to make music accessible for all who wish to experience it. Our camps bring together youth of widely varying life experiences to form bands as a way of fostering meaningful connections, and a community oriented mindset. Through our programming, campers also experience workshops focused on pertinent topics related to diversity and inclusion, confidence building and positive mental wellness. Our inspiring community of peers and mentors are a representation of the present and future. Together we work to amplify the voices of our youth through the art of self expression by providing music as a healthy alternative to channel heavy emotions, and the need to feel heard, seen and acknowledged.
Amanda's musical compositions embrace a variety of styles and influences. Her unique sound is a contemporary blend of Pop, Soul, Rhythm and Blues. With heartfelt execution, Amanda has undergone years of touring and performing throughout the East Coast, Southern parts of the United States, and Northern California in promotion of her two studio album releases with her band Amanda Ashley Trio ("Metamorphosis" 2014) and ("Living Dead" 2015), and singles "Perfect Sunday" and "Leaves" produced by Mike Gladstone (2019, 2021) and "Home" (2020). In current times, Amanda's writing and compositional focus has been with her original duo project, "SHADES" (www.shadesmakesmusic.com) also featuring vocalist and co-writer, Abbie Riggins. As SHADES, the two released their first single "The Lies You Believe" (2022) and are currently following up with a recording project set to be released January of 2025.
2020-2021 Amanda served as writer and host for Podcast and Live Videocast "Afternoon Cocktail Talk Show," (www.afternooncocktail.show) which featured live performances and candid interviews with National and International Singer-Songwriters, entrepreneurs and various causes. Through a collection of perspective, Afternoon Cocktail delivered inspirational, educational and thought-provoking entertainment that encourages awareness, self care, kindness, and mental wellness. Amanda was also a featured monthly columnist for Rochester Woman Online (www.rochesterwomanonline.com), under the same title "Afternoon Cocktail" which expressed and embraced sentiments of gratitude, self exploration and self worth.
Amanda presently serves as the Program Director of 501 C. Non-for-profit, Girls Rock Rochester, (www.girlsrockrochester.org) a youth empowerment, music education program dedicated to using music creation and performance as a tool for cultivating self confidence in girls, trans, and LGBTQ youth, ages 5 to 17 years. The program's intentions are to provide year round support and a safe space where authenticity is celebrated, and where children are able to creatively express and explore their greatest potential. Our year round programs, instrument rental, and signature Summer Camps are offered on sliding scale tuition in effort to make music accessible for all who wish to experience it. Our camps bring together youth of widely varying life experiences to form bands as a way of fostering meaningful connections, and a community oriented mindset. Through our programming, campers also experience workshops focused on pertinent topics related to diversity and inclusion, confidence building and positive mental wellness. Our inspiring community of peers and mentors are a representation of the present and future. Together we work to amplify the voices of our youth through the art of self expression by providing music as a healthy alternative to channel heavy emotions, and the need to feel heard, seen and acknowledged.
