We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Robin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley Robin, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I had been singing throughout my childhood in one way or another, whether at church, or to myself around the house, or while playing with dolls. My family was very musical. Both my sister and father sang. And so I honestly took it for granted. I actually wanted to be an English teacher, and I didn’t really consider having an actual career in music until high school. I was fortunate enough to be born and raised in New York City, and I auditioned to be a student at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (my sister actually practically forced me to audition. I didn’t want to initially!). I was accepted, and the experience I had honestly changed the trajectory of my life. I didn’t “do” much during my time there… didn’t get tons of solos or participate in shows (if I could go back, I’d be much braver). But what I gained was such a love for singing and music, that I decided that whatever I did when I left high school, it had to involve music. Whether I’d be a chorus teacher, or a vocal coach, or an artist, or some other thing, I just knew I wanted music to be part of my life, for the rest of my life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Ashley Robin, producer, recording artist, songwriter, and owner & face of The Robin’s Nest, a music academy that helps artists improve their musicianship. There are two things that I’ve always been passionate about: making music, and teaching others how to do it, too. So in addition to being a full-time self-produced recording and performing artist, I’m also a full-time musicianship coach who helps others improve their vocal quality, write better, more coherent songs, and sharpen their ear to hear and execute whatever music they want. What sets me apart is that I’m in the trenches with the artists I teach, and I’m constantly getting better, which means I’m constantly getting better at helping my clients be better artists. I’m actively performing, and creating music that’s in tune with current trends, so I assist my clients in doing that as well. I am completely invested in their success… obsessed with it, actually! I’m most proud of who I’ve been able to meet and help through The Robin’s Nest, and I’m proud of the progress of every client I serve. The Robin’s Nest is all about helping you grow and be the capable artist you see in your dreams! And I feel like I’m getting folks closer to that every day.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think society must make more room for creatives to use their creativity and commit to paying creatives fairly, and directly according to the value we bring to society. Our world would be nothing without music. Music is woven into the fabric of everything! Sports, commercials, education, recreation… But creatives can’t wait for society to make the first move. We have to continue building our own tables, and creating our own success.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding and actually beautiful things about being a creative is being able to create tangible things out of intangible thoughts. I think about this all the time! I am able to hear something in my mind, and bring it out into the world for others to interpret, enjoy, and even be touched and changed by. It’s like nothing else in the world to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleyrobin.com
• Instagram: @ashleyrobinmusic, @therobinsnestmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyrobinmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@therobinsnest, https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyrobinmusic
• Other: Tiktok: @ashleyrobinmusic, @therobinsnestmusic

Image Credits

Kaleb “Kayliv” Lewis