Showstoppers

Ashley Hood

Voice, Ukulele, & Musical Theatre Teacher

Ashley Hood is a vibrant and passionate voice and ukulele instructor dedicated to helping students discover confidence, artistry, and joy through music. With many years of formal vocal training and ongoing professional development, she specializes in classical voice and musical theatre styles while maintaining a strong belief that every student has the ability to create meaningful emotional connection through their voice. Her teaching approach is rooted in developing healthy, sustainable vocal technique while encouraging students to explore their individuality, creativity, and personal expression as performers. Ashley emphasizes proper breath support, expressive performance, and strong foundational vocal technique as the core pillars of her instruction, ensuring that students build both skill and long-term vocal health. She works with singers of all levels to prepare for competitions, musical theatre auditions, recitals, and performance opportunities, tailoring instruction to meet each student’s goals. Her proficiency in Italian, German, French, and Latin diction further strengthens her ability to guide students through a wide and diverse vocal repertoire, helping them perform classical and theatrical works with authenticity, clarity, and confidence. In addition to her teaching, Ashley has gained valuable real-world performance experience through her involvement in community theatre productions throughout the region. She has appeared in well-known musicals such as The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, Sister Act, and Once Upon a Mattress. These experiences not only deepen her understanding of stagecraft and storytelling but also allow her to provide students with practical insight into audition preparation, stage presence, and the expectations of live performance. Ashley currently serves as a K–5 music teacher with Union County Public Schools, where she fosters a love of music in young learners through engaging, creative, and developmentally appropriate instruction. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in Voice from Lenoir-Rhyne University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Music Education through University of North Carolina at Greensboro, continuing to expand her expertise as both an educator and performer. Ashley is beyond excited to join the faculty at Charlotte Academy of Music and cannot wait to meet such talented individuals who are eager to grow in new ways.