Grace Ashby is a soprano originally from Hebron, Maryland. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music degree at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia, studying in the studio of Dr. Fotina Naumenko. Grace enjoys performing in various vocal genres, with a particular interest in opera and musical theatre. She portrayed Cinderella in Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Olga Mara/Beautiful Girl in Community Players of Salisbury’s production of Singin’ in the Rain in June 2023. She also appeared in the fairy chorus for Shenandoah Conservatory’s production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in April 2023 and had the honor of portraying Marilyn Monroe in Shenandoah Conservatory’s multi-disciplinary collaboration, Caged Birds in November 2023 which featured music from modern composers such as Missy Mazzoli and Santa Ratniece. Grace has been involved in numerous choral ensembles including Conservatory Choir and received second place at the Virginia NATS competition in February 2024. Grace participated in the Collaborative Arts: Edgar Allan Poe in Song and Story Recital in Fall 2023 at Shenandoah University where she had the pleasure of working with the founders of Lyric Fest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has loved being a part of this whimsical production and wants to thank her family, friends, and peers for their support and encouragement!