Ashley Crawford, M.M.

Ashley Michelle Crawford was born in Memphis, Tn into a life of music. From the sounds of her own father, Hubert “H-Bomb” Crawford, grandfather, Hubert Crawford, Sr. of “Hubert Crawford and The King Riders Band,” older brother and accomplished and producer bassist, Anthony Crawford, and cousin, Hank Crawford, legendary saxophonist, she was destined to pave her path in the field of music. She began playing flute at age 11 and has used her gift as a pathway to musical performance, education, and opportunities. Ashley received her Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University where she studied under retired professor, Belinda Laupp and marched in the world renowned, “Aristocrat of Bands” and served as piccolo section leader in 2010. During her studies at TSU she was rewarded a full music scholarship, the “Director’s Choice Award” and “Best Section.” She also studied the origins of instrumental music abroad in Vienna, Austria and Florence, Italy. She went on to complete her master’s in Instrumental Pedagogy and Classical Flute Performance at Belmont University in 2014. While at BU, she studied under Dr. Carolyn Totaro, became a 2x concerto competition winner, was a music scholarship recipient, winner of the “Friends of the Arts President’s Choice Award,” and published two theses, “An investigation of four works for flute.” and “The causes, prevention, and treatment of flute-playing related injury and pain.”  Her classical training also includes masterclass study from renowned flutists, Dr. Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, Mark Vinci, Rhonda Larson, and Dr. Nicole Riner at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. 

Ashley Crawford has expanded her outreach of music education by being a visiting music tutor in the Metro Nashville Public School and Shelby County School districts. She has coached and privately taught at Hunter’s Lane High School, Whitehaven High School, East Nashville Magnet Middlle/High School, H.G Hill Middle School, Jere Baxter Middle School, Cane Ridge High School, Rose Parks Math/Science Magnet School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School. She has also been the flute instructor at summer band camp and intensives, Nashville Fine Arts Academy and Edward L. Graves summer band camp. Her career in pedagogy came full circle when she became the Flute Professor at Tennessee State University where she currently teaches applied flute, flute choir, and heads the woodwind area of the music department. She also leads a community group, the “Nashville Philharmonic Flute Ensemble,” as their conductor and musical director and serves as President of the Nashville African American Wind Symphony, Inc. Ashley also appeared as a guest conductor for the Mid-south flute Society’s Collegiate Flute Choir and adjudicator for the Music Teacher National Association’s Young Artist Competition. 

     Ashley has dedicated her life to sharing her gift and knowledge of flute to people of all ages. Her trademarked brand, “Flutebae” was birthed after her 2017 viral sensation video of the #MaskOffChallenge. Ever since, she has fused the sounds of classical flute with the latest Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B music that has helped propel flute into mainstream music and media. She has appeared under her entity, “FluteBae,” at the Staples Center with her rendition of the National Anthem for the NBA LA Lakers and WNBA LA Sparks. She has collaborated with prominent artists and producers such as Chris Hines, David “SkiBeatz” Willis, Gaither Vocal Band, Soul Sessions, and Brassville. She has curated virtual performances such as “We. Will. Breathe.” by FluteBae, that raised awareness for Black Lives Matter and hope in the black community and allies to keep fighting for equality. This performance rewarded her the opportunity to appear in flute publication, “The Flute View” with an artist interview. Ashley “FluteBae” Crawford prides herself on being a teaching-artist who uses education and creativity to reach the masses and encourage people to embrace learning and performing music. She embodies the element of flute through her sultry and robust playing, bridging the gap between pop culture and classical music. Her melodious tone sings effortlessly and is felt on a visceral level. There are no limits to her style and her playing transcends all genres.