Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. Ashley also starred as Mary Poppins in the national tour which earned her a 2010 Garland award for “Best Performance in a Musical.” Her other Broadway credits include Belle in The Beauty and The Beast, and she has starred in the national tour of Disney's On The Record.

Ashley recently returned to the Lyric Opera of Chicago to star in the role of Laurey in Oklahoma.  She previously played Magnolia opposite Nathan Gunn in Francesca Zembello’s Showboat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ashley has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America. She has also performed with the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban.

Ashley made her solo concert debut at the Kennedy Center as part of Barbara Cook’s Spotlight Series, and has appeared in New York City at prestigious venues including Feinstein’s at the Regency and Birdland. Other projects include a star turn at the La Jolla Playhouse in a production of Limelight, Sound of Music at the St. Louis MUNY which garnered her a Kevin Kline award, and her own PBS special called Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible which received a PBS Telly Award.

The Philly POPS BIG Band performs throughout the Philadelphia region. Composed of 18-20 musicians – five saxophones, five trumpets, four trombones, a drum set, a piano, a guitar, and bass – the BIG Band plays swing, ragtime and jazz in the style of the Count Basie Orchestra and Harry James Band while expanding its repertoire into all kinds of popular music from Latin to funk and rock. The Philly POPS BIG Band members were chosen for their passion for popular music. Each is also a teaching artist, adept at instructing the next generation of musicians.