Ashley Shabankareh (she/her/hers) is a musician, music educator, arts administrator, and music education and creative economy advocate. She received her M.M. and B.M.E. from Loyola University, New Orleans, with a concentration on conducting and brass instruments. Ashley is a certified K-12 music educator and spent her early years in New Orleans teaching PK4-8th grade students. She transitioned from full time music instruction to assist in the creation the curriculum and program guidelines for the Tulane University Music Rising Program. In addition, for the past 14 years, Ashley served as the Director of Programs for Preservation Hall Foundation, working with culture bearers and serving over 35,000 per year in programming in schools, detention centers, and community centers. In 2016, she was named a Top Female Achiever by New Orleans Magazine, a New Orleans Hero by the Times-Picayune, and a Woman of the Year by New Orleans City Business. In 2017, she was named a Top Millennial in Music by the Spears Group and I Heart Media.

Today, Ashley currently serves as the Collaborative Action Strategist for Artist Corps New Orleans, and also works as the Education Manager for the New Orleans Jazz Museum and Development and Education Consultant for Upbeat Academy. She also serves as the Vice President for the Jazz Education Network, Board Chair for the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO), and Board Member for Elan Academy Charter School. By night, Ashley performs as both a trombonist and vocalist, performing with notable musicians including Aretha Franklin, Allen Toussaint, Jimmy Buffett, Theresa Andersson, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and in her own projects, Marina Orchestra and the Asylum Chorus.