.Karen Ashley was a Vice President of her own Opera Division at Columbia Artists Management for over 11 years. She specialized in discovering new vocal talents and guiding them into international careers. She gained a reputation for having significant insight into talent and the “ears” to identify major young singers very early on in their careers. Ms. Ashley also not only managed artists like Teresa Stratas, Aprile Millo, Michelle DeYoung among many others, but she also worked closely with Marilyn Horne and Renata Scotto.
After leaving Columbia Artists Management she was chosen by Placido Domingo to create a world-class program for gifted young singers and then to become the Director of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artists Program with the Los Angeles Opera.
She has worked with the Manhattan Summer Voice Festival and has given Masterclasses in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, San Francisco and Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ms Ashley has been trained not only as a singer but as an actress and has taught Luigi’s Jazz Dance in many cities throughout the country.
Currently the Managing Director of Career Development for the Alexander & Buono International Academy.