Friday, September 27, 2024
Ashley Green’s love for music runs deep in her veins. Ashley, a beloved voice teacher, singer, actor, and music director for the Granbury Theatre Company (GTC), has spent her life immersed in the world of performance. With a natural gift for nurturing talent and a deep passion for her community, Ashley’s journey through music has not only shaped her career but also touched the lives of countless performers in Granbury.
A Lifelong Granbury Resident
Ashley Green has called Granbury home since she was five years old, when her family moved to the area so her father could become the principal of Granbury High School.
Reflecting on her roots, Ashley said, “We moved to Granbury a week before I started kindergarten.” Raised in a family with a shared love of music, Ashley’s passion was cultivated early on. Her father, Troy Green, now retired, serves as the pianist at his church, while her mother, Janet, also has musical talents she prefers to keep under wraps. “Mom can also play piano,” Ashley revealed with a playful laugh, “but she doesn’t like to admit it and be put on the spot. Sshhh! Don’t tell her I told you! ”
While her father’s role as high school principal shaped her early years in Granbury, Ashley found her own path in the school’s choir and theatre programs. “I was too consumed with choir to be anything but a weird music nerd,” she joked. Her dedication to music and performance paid off, leading her to the prestigious UIL TMEA All-State Choir during her junior and senior years. “Musicals and Choir were how I spent my high school years, and I wouldn’t change it for a thing! Luckily for me, my parents enjoyed those things as well!”
From Student to Teacher
After graduating from Granbury High School in 2005, Ashley pursued her love for music across the country at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. She earned both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. By 2012, she was fully equipped with the technical and artistic expertise to pursue a career as a singer and teacher.
Although Ashley dabbled in teaching voice lessons as early as 2016, it wasn’t until the fall of 2018 that she took the leap and made teaching her full-time career. “When I walked away from the security of my day job, I only had four, maybe five students,” she recalled. But her faith in her calling quickly paid off. By spring 2019, her roster had grown exponentially, with twenty to thirty students per week, most of whom were connected to Granbury Theatre Company.
A Journey with Granbury Theatre Company
Ashley’s relationship with Granbury Theatre Company began in 2017, when she was cast in the ensemble of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It didn’t take long for her to make an impression. Later that year, she was cast as the Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast. “The Wardrobe’s name was Madame de la Grande Bouche, which translated means ‘Lady of the Big Mouth,’ which, let's be honest, fits me perfectly,” joked Green.
During a Beauty and the Beast rehearsal, when the scheduled music director was unavailable, Ashley was asked to step in and run the music review. The director, impressed by her skills, asked her to music direct her first show, Into the Woods, the following year.
Her directorial debut was a triumph. The production was awarded Best Musical in the DFW area, and Ashley herself was nominated for Best Music Director. Reflecting on that moment, she said, “To say I was shocked would be an understatement!” That success propelled her into a leadership role at GTC, where she has since directed the music for 26 musical productions, including junior shows, alongside her close friend, Matthew Beutner, the director of Granbury Theatre Academy.
Ashley’s connection to Granbury Theatre Company is more than just a professional collaboration—it’s a place where she has found community and purpose. “My work is my ministry,” she explained. “I’ve been given the special privilege of working with people in a very personal setting, giving me an unobstructed view of some of their most vulnerable moments as artists.”
A Passion for Mentorship
For Ashley, teaching voice is much more than technical instruction. It’s a personal and emotional journey she takes with each student. “Singing is an extension of who we are and, at times, reveals more about us than we would probably prefer,” she said. As a teacher, Ashley’s role extends beyond the vocal cords; she becomes a mentor, a counselor, and a guide for her students.
“I hear the flaws; I hear the voice cracks, and I get to peek behind the curtain to witness insecurities that the world will never see for fear of inadequacy,” she explained. But it’s in those moments of vulnerability where Ashley finds the most joy in her work. “I also hear and see potential; I hear the growth and success; I hear previously terrifying high notes being sung with gorgeous precision.”
Her ability to nurture growth in her students is what sets her apart as a teacher. For Ashley, the reward is seeing her students break through their self-doubt and achieve things they never thought possible. “I love getting to see light bulbs come on in areas where confusion previously resided. I love helping people grow and experience levels of success they never thought were possible. I love my job.”
A Bright Future in Granbury
As Ashley looks to the future, her impact on the Granbury community continues to grow. With each student she mentors, each musical she directs, and each performance she participates in, she strengthens the bonds between the town’s artistic community and its residents. Her dedication to her work, grounded in faith and a deep love for the performing arts, ensures that Granbury’s theatre scene will continue to thrive.
Ashley’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Whether she’s on stage, directing from behind the scenes, or coaching a student to hit their highest note, Ashley Green is making her mark in Granbury—and she’s only just begun.
In a town where community and creativity intertwine, Ashley Green stands out as a voice of inspiration. As a singer, a teacher, and a music director, she has found her purpose in helping others find theirs. And as long as Granbury is filled with aspiring performers and music lovers, Ashley will be there to guide them, one note at a time.
micky@hcnews.com
