Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Fabian.
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born into a very musical family; both of my parents were classically trained singers. Growing up, my house was always filled with song. I began singing solos in church at the age of two. When it came to choosing a career path, I never had any doubts: I was going to be an opera singer! I couldn’t imagine a future for myself without music and the arts.
My vocal training began at the age of 14. From then on, I was practicing daily, studying new languages, and improving my musicianship. I attended The College of Charleston for my Bachelor’s and Artist Diploma in vocal performance and received a Master’s degree from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. I have sung roles at companies such as Pittsburgh Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Central City Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianapolis Opera, and Virginia Arts Festival. I have participated in several competitions, holding awards from The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Utah and South Carolina Districts), Orpheus Vocal Competition, and The Grand Concours Franco-American Competition. In 2020, I was scheduled to make a debut with Los Angeles Opera in their production of The Festival Play of Daniel.
Unfortunately, this and all other opportunities were canceled or put on hold due to COVID-19. This was a major blow to all of the singing artists of the world, as our art form was taken from us unexpectedly. We began to attempt online, live-streamed performances and competitions, but it hasn’t been the same without our beloved audiences. In an effort to keep exercising my creativity, I began screen acting once the pandemic hit. I managed to book a few commercials, films, and even a music video. It was a different experience than I was used to, being on a movie set instead of a big stage. However, in these times of great uncertainty, I have managed to spread my wings and explore these new, exciting opportunities with an open mind.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has never been easy. You face constant rejection due to the intense, competitive nature of the business. You also move around a lot, so I personally have daydreams of stability and settling down. Being a singer requires you to be very disciplined, flexible, thick-skinned, and congenial. Another massive challenge I have faced was navigating this career financially. Singing for a company usually requires some sort of initial audition fee and then travel and lodging expenses. These all add up rather quickly, leaving singers unable to participate in all of the opportunities they’d like. I decided to take control of my finances, put myself on a strict budget, and get creative with ways to save money in order to allow for more travel. I even began my own blog to share my journey as a frugal diva on a budget, FabOnADime.net (@fabonadime). This has been an excellent way to connect with people who are in similar situations and share tips and encouragement with this community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singing actor, specializing in opera and musical theater. I recently began screen acting and exploring more genres of music. I also blog and share my journey as a frugal diva on a budget (FabOnADime.net @fabonadime). I think my versatility sets me apart from other people in my field. I am just as comfortable singing opera as I am jazz, musical theater, or pop, and I love exploring the differences of screen and stage acting.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are countless people that have been influential in getting me where I am today. I have been so privileged to work with wonderful teachers, coaches, mentors, conductors, and directors that gave me the tools I needed to become successful. I always think back to my time as a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera as a major step in my development, and I’m so grateful to the administrators there who believed in me, Christopher Hahn, Bill Powers, and Robert Boldin. A few other people that have been incredibly influential include teachers Deanna McBroom, Sari Gruber, and Ruth Ann Swenson. And also, I want to thank my manager Gloria Parker from Insignia Artists for her support.
I am also grateful for my manager, Gloria Parker (of Insignia Artists) for her unending support.
Contact Info:
- Website: AshleyFabianSoprano.com, FabOnADime.net
- Instagram: instagram.com/fabonadime
- Facebook: facebook.com/ashleyfabiansoprano
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjL4tMDLFB0LMR2psf1_RTA
Image Credits
Caitlin Gotimer Photography, David Bachman Photography
