The Orchestra Teacher Podcast: 7 Orchestras, 1 Teacher: Ashley Braithwaite Builds a Complete Program

Orchestra Teacher Podcast – Episode #124
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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