124. In the Classroom, On the Podium, and in the Dirt: Ashley Braithwaite’s Orchestra Life

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast – Episode #124


In the Classroom, On the Podium, and in the Dirt: Ashley
Braithwaite’s Orchestra Life





We’re kicking off 2026 with an inspiring conversation featuring
Ashley Braithwaite, an award-winning orchestra
educator from Utah whose passion for teaching, leadership, and
lifelong musicianship shines through everything she does.





Ashley has been teaching privately since 2005 and in the public
schools since 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Music in
Viola Performance from the University of Utah and a
Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Utah
State University. Her impact as an educator has been widely
recognized, including honors as Teacher of the
Year, Cluster Teacher of the Year, and
Utah’s featured “Director Who Makes a
Difference” in SBO Magazine (2019).





In this episode, Ashley shares her journey from viola performance
major to leading seven orchestras across a middle school
and high school, serving more than 300
students—all while feeding her own program. We dive into
the rewards and pressures of vertical alignment, thoughtful
long-term curriculum planning, and what it really takes to build
strong fundamentals that last well beyond the classroom.





Ashley also discusses:


• Standards-based assessment and practical strategies for
managing large programs


• Building student independence through tone, technique, and
self-evaluation


• Repertoire favorites and “hidden gems” for middle and high
school orchestras


• Her leadership roles with ASTA,
UMEA, and the National Orchestra
Festival


• Why professional learning, festivals, and collaboration matter
so deeply for teachers and students alike





Outside the classroom, Ashley is an avid chamber musician who has
performed throughout Europe, an enthusiastic supporter of Suzuki
and Federation experiences, and—when she’s not teaching—can often
be found outdoors enjoying motocross, hiking, fly
fishing, and life in the dirt under the sun.





This wide-ranging conversation is full of practical insights,
honest reflections, and big-picture inspiration for orchestra
teachers at every stage of their careers—and it’s the perfect way
to start a new year of the podcast.





Listen in and get inspired as we launch 2026 with Ashley
Braithwaite on the Orchestra Teacher Podcast!








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