About Ashe, Assistant Conductor

Ashe Stolte’s mother was a musical therapist, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg that is their musical inclination. As they put it, they’ve “just been surrounded by music [their] whole life.”

Ashe grew up going to church, where they were exposed to singing on a weekly basis, and from elementary to junior high, they became enamored with music slowly realizing it’s their first love. They did piano lessons throughout elementary and junior high along with band and choir classes after soaring through their early music classes.

“I remember really excelling in music class and just having teachers notice which really motivated me to continue doing that,” they said.

Since then, Ashe has been singing in Edmonton’s Korora choir, which they describe as the city’s “largest community choir family.” Ashe started in Shumayela, the auditioned choir for ages 12-16 before making it into the choir’s “flagship ensemble,” Korora for ages 14-24. They started as an alto before singing as a baritone and tenor by their second year with Korora.

“It’s awesome. I love it. I have spent a lot of time singing different vocal parts,” they explained. “I just love the community of Korora, that’s the biggest thing for me. I love singing obviously, but I just love the people and the experience of singing with others.”

Not only did Korora make Ashe a stronger singer and help them further explore their musical side, it also brought them to Braille Tones. They found Braille Tones through people from Shumayela who recommended them as a section leader. They’ve been with the Braille Tones ever since and loves the time and memories they’ve created.

“It’s been an incredible experience just to meet all of the incredible people in the choir,” they explained. “I really love Braille Tones for the singing, but I love it more for the people and the community and just the wonderful voices and faces I get to see and hear every week. The friendships I’ve made are the most important thing to me.”

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. What is your favorite braille tones song?
   Hmmm probably would have to be Boneless chickens cannot cross the road.
   

2. What is your favourite memory of the btones?
   Performing the above song in an incredibly ill-fitting turkey costume. It wasn't even a chicken!
   

3. What instruments do you play?
   Many! Bass guitar, Piano, Regular Guitar, Ukulele, Drums, A little bit of trombone/euphonium, and I sing of course!
   

4. Where did you go to school?
   I am currently in school at Grant MacEwan University for a Bachelor's Degree in Music.
   

5. What is your hometown?
   Born and raised in Edmonton!
   

6. What do you do in your spare time?
   Aside from practicing my instruments, I love writing and producing songs, playing video games, and mixing cocktails!
   

7. When are you the most creative?
   Obnoxiously late hours of the night when I just can't fall asleep.
   

8. What’s your favorite way to unwind?
   Playing video games with my friends or producing music.
   

9. Do you have any pets?
   Nope, but my sister has a really cute dog who I might steal one day.

Fun & Random Questions

1. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
   Probably sushi or bento (with sushi of course).
   

2. What's the best joke you've ever heard?
   Well, I don't know if it counts as a joke but the entirety of Geoff's version of "Police stop my car" is incredibly funny.
   

3. Do you have any hidden talents?

   I can solve 7 different types of Rubik's cubes.
   

4. Name one thing on your bucket list.
   Be fluent in a second language.
   

5. Name one thing on your bucket list that you have accomplished.
   Write and release an album by yourself!