Ashley Judkins just completed her first year of undergrad at UMass Boston where she is pursuing a degree in Music Education. Before taking her talents to college, Ashley began her musical journey with trumpet lessons at Community Music School of Springfield. Ashley, interviewed by CMSS faculty and her former trumpet teacher Justin Esiason, reflects on the impact and support of CMSS and her beloved teachers.
What motivated you to pursue music seriously. How did you first get interested in it?
I’ve been interested in music all my life. I’ve always been a singer and once I picked up the trumpet, I liked the feeling of being in a band, being around other musicians, and playing good music. What inspired me to take it seriously was watching my band director, Matt Bertuzzi. He was doing something that he studied for, that he enjoyed, and was teaching theory, music classes, leading jazz band and orchestral classes. That was an inspiration for me. I’m passionate about music – why not teach that passion?
Can you tell me about some of the resources that were available to you as a high schooler aiming for a serious music program and how they helped you with your successful college audition?
The main resource was Community Music School of Springfield. The private lessons I took were so helpful and let me explore new things that I never thought I could or would play. They set in stone that I want to be a part of the musician community and to study music for the rest of my days. The other resource was my high school music department. Both CMSS and Mr. Bertuzzi gave me the resources I needed to boost my resume and get some experience under my belt. CMSS really made sure that I could choose a path that was meaningful to me.
Can you talk about how meeting CMSS Director of Faculty & Education Rachel Rivard changed your direction as a musician?
I first met Rachel Rivard in 2015 in the sixth grade when I had only played the trumpet for a year. Ms. Rivard is so amazing. She saw potential in me and made sure that I built on it every class. Even with things I was scared to do, she would encourage me, sit with me, and talk to me before and after class. We had a genuine connection inside and outside the classroom. She knew what I could do and how much I could grow. In the time we worked together, she definitely helped. I didn’t know I wanted to teach at the time, but she made it all seem so cool and enjoyable and here I am now!
How do you plan to continue developing your musical skills and knowledge in college, and what are your long-term goals for your music career?
I plan to never let go of the fundamentals. If I know all the arpeggios and all the scales, I’ll be able to succeed everywhere. Also, staying consistent with practicing with my progress and growth. That’s so essential. There’s no way to get better if you aren’t putting in the work. My long term goals are to teach music and direct bands of all types including concert, jazz, orchestra, chorus, choirs. I want to do it all. As a musician, I just wanna get better. I want to teach students who are good enough for high and middle school and tell them that they can do better, they can do more, and they can keep building on their talents into college. ■