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Clarinettist Ashley William Smith, winner of the 2012 MCA Freedman Fellowship, otherwise known as the ‘genius' award, and former student of UWA's School of Music, has been appointed to the role of Head of Woodwind and Contemporary Performance.

In addition, Ashley will become the School of Music's official Artist in Residence.

In 2012 Ashley graduated from a Master of Music degree on a full scholarship at Yale University studying under David Shifrin.  This follows on from his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), Australia's premier institution for training young classical musicians.  During his time at ANAM Ashley scooped the pools winning both the jury and audience prizes for the 2009 ANAM Concerto competition, as well as being granted the 2010 Academy Fellowship and the inaugural Harold Mitchell Fellowship.  Also in 2010, Ashley won the prestigious ABC Symphony International Young Performers Award.

A School of Music alumnus, Ashley graduated with First Class Honours in 2008 winning many of the School's most prestigious prizes including the Lady Callaway Medal, the Edith Cowan Prize in Music and the Vose Memorial Prize during his performance degree.  He was also awarded the Sir Harold Bailey Award as the most outstanding graduate of the Faculty of Arts.

Ashley has performed as a soloist with several Symphony International network orchestras and has toured extensively throughout Australia, Asia and the US as a recitalist. He credits the unique Perth classical scene fostered by UWA School of Music and their partners WASO and Tura New Music as the inspiration for his passion for new and experimental classical music.  ‘Ashley is an exciting performer, an innovative musician, and an inspiring teacher and mentor to young musicians' said Dr Alan Lourens, Head of School ‘the appointment of Ashley continues the tradition of appointing outstanding musicians to the UWA School of Music, following on the heels of performers such as Paul Wright and Craig Ogden, performer/composer James Ledger and composer Roger Smalley.'

Media references

Dr Alan Lourens , Head of School (School of Music) (61 +8) 6488 1031

Danielle Loiseau , Administrative Officer (School of Music) (61 +8) 6488 3994 (Monday - Wednesday)

Pip White , Administrative Officer (School of Music) (+61 8) 6488 7835 (Thursday & Friday)

Michael Sinclair-Jones , (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 00 700 783