Hello,
And welcome — I’m Ashley-May!
I’m a pianist who believes that music is more than sound; it’s a language of emotion, memory, and meaning. Every note I play is an invitation into something deeper: a shared moment, a story without words.
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My passion lies in creating spaces where people can feel, reflect, and connect through music — whether I’m performing on stage, helping students grow, or exploring a new piece in solitude. Teaching and performing allows me to pass on not just technique, but a deeper understanding of music as a form of personal expression and connection.
Biography
American pianist Ashley-May Burkhardt captivates audiences with performances celebrated for their emotional depth and expressive sensitivity. Through her artistry, she strives to create transformative musical experiences that transport listeners beyond the ordinary. In addition to her active performance schedule, Ashley-May is pursuing an Artist Diploma at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). She also shares her passion for music as a dedicated piano instructor both privately and at local music schools, performs regularly as a pianist for local churches, and previously served as a Secondary Piano Graduate Assistant at CCM. Her influential teachers include Sara Daneshpour and Michelle Conda, CCM, and Dmitri Vorobiev, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Growing up in a military family primarily in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Burkhardt appeared as a guest artist with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, notably performing Saint-Saëns’ beloved Le Carnaval des animaux. Her early musical foundation included principal positions in piano and flute with the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Fayetteville Symphonic Band. This dual instrumental background provided her with a rare insight into orchestral collaboration, enriching her performances as a piano soloist.
In the forthcoming 2025-2026 season, Ashley-May is committed to artistic growth and excellence. She is scheduled to perform two recitals and actively compete in various national and international piano competitions. Additionally, she has developed a recent interest in exploring how interdisciplinary arts integration in early education supports children’s developmental growth, and she will share her insights at regional and national conferences throughout the year.
Education
2025-Present
Artist Diploma
University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of music
As a full scholarship recipient, enrollment in the Artist Diploma program centers on advanced piano performance, emphasizing the development of pianistic excellence and artistic individuality. Participation in national and international piano competitions demands a high level of technical and interpretive skill, alongside an active schedule of local and national solo performances. This program fosters the refinement of a unique artistic voice through rigorous performance practice and interpretive exploration.
2023-2025
Master of Music
University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music
Graduate studies emphasized research and advanced exploration of piano pedagogy, focusing on the intersection of music, education, and emerging technologies. Serving as a Secondary Piano Graduate Assistant provided hands-on experience in classroom instruction and curriculum development. This period of academic study included co-founding a Music and Storytelling workshop focused on the developmental impact of classical music, narrative, and AI in early childhood education.
2019-2023
Bachelor of Music
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
UNCSA offered intensive conservatory training with a focus in Piano Performance, complemented by a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship. A senior-year studio assistantship provided experience in both administrative support and studio coordination. Membership in the nu-Ensemble created ongoing opportunities to engage with contemporary repertoire through the performance of new and experimental works in collaborative settings.