About Ashley

Ashley is the owner and driving force behind small space studios. She holds a PhD in dance studies from Ohio State University, an MEd in counseling from the University of Virginia, and a BFA in modern dance from the University of Utah.

In 2020 she completed the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education Orton Gillingham training program. In 2020-2021 she worked at the American International School Kingston, in Jamaica working one-to-one with students with a wide range of reading challenges.

Ashley has over 20 years experience in the fields of movement education, dance, social-emotional wellness, non-profit administration, Pilates, and yoga.

She is the founder of somaspring, a Pilates-derived practice that helps clients develop an efficient body for an effective mind. 

For eight years she served as the founder and Executive Director of Now Next Dance, a dance education and mentoring organization. She was featured in Dance Magazine, and was described in the Dance/USA journal as a “trailblazing visionary” for her innovative program design. Her prior work includes managing the Young Women Leaders Program, a large youth mentoring program, and teaching on the dance faculties of American University, George Mason University, George Washington University, and Oberlin College. Her certifications include BASI Pilates with a dance conditioning certificate and Ashtanga/Hatha yoga (200hr level).

A choreographer, her most recent work with long time collaborator Peter V. Swendsen was performed at the John F. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, in March 2018.