Teaches in Texas

From Austin, Texas

Plays and Voice

About

Ashton McKenzie is an Afro-West Indian lyric tenor, choral conductor, music educator, composer, and playwright from Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. He earned his undergraduate degree in General Music with a Concentration in Voice and Choral Conducting from Taylor University, where he was the inaugural recipient of the JoAnn Kinghorn Rediger Scholarship for dedication to the choral music department. During his sophomore year, Ashton composed original music drama titled “Earnestly, Thieves Never Win,” integrating dance, spoken word, music, and design into his first large-scale work. This work was produced by the Ministry of Youths, Sports, and Culture in the Bahamas and debuted at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.

In 2017, he completed his undergraduate studies and later, in 2024, obtained Dual Master's degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from Butler University. At Butler, Ashton showcased his versatility through performances as The Vicar in Albert Herring, Rosina the Witch in Hänsel and Gretel, Cochenille in The Tales of Hoffman, the Speaker of the Temple in Die Zauberflöte, and Bernardo in West Side Story. He also distinguished himself as a tenor soloist in renowned works such as Bach’s St. John Passion, Mozart’s Dominican Vespers and Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Theresienmesse, and Gardner’s Lamb of God (Peter). His dedication and talent earned him membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, an honor society recognizing excellence in music.

Looking ahead, Ashton is set to begin his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Vocal Pedagogy and Vocology at The University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation will explore an innovative intersection of psychoacoustics and chronic illness, comparing scientific pedagogic approaches with the bel canto technique, with an emphasis on his diverse teaching styles encompassing classical, musical theater, and contemporary music.

A singer since the age of six, Ashton’s professional journey commenced with the Bahamas National Children’s Choir in 2006. His extensive international touring includes performances in Russia, Ghana, London, Prague, China, Izmir, Canada, various Caribbean islets, and numerous U.S. states. During his tenure with the choir, he earned over ten National E. Clement Bethel National Art Awards for solo performance, original character dramatization, and choral conducting.

In 2022, Ashton placed first in Indiana in the National Association of Teaching Singers’ Advanced Voice category and secured second place in the Greater Regional Lake round in 2023. Since 2022, he has been developing a private voice teaching practice rooted in a scientific pedagogic approach, dedicated to enhancing vocal efficiency, which ensures successful long- term artist citizenships for his students.