May 24, 2022

Staff Profile: Ashley Boychuk

A native Winnipegger, Ashley Boychuk recently joined the Manitoba Opera staff team as Grants & Corporate Giving Manager, replacing Jayne Hammond who moved on to a development position in the post-secondary education sector.

As Grants & Corporate Giving Manager, Ashley’s work will involve building relationships with the company’s supporters, including institution and corporate funders and continuing to build on MO’s legacy as one of the province’s leading arts organizations.

“I am looking forward to making a positive change in our community through opera. Alongside the excitement of the productions, MO has an active roster of school and community programming to provide first-time opera experiences, or to support fresh angles for learning about how opera is relevant today,” she says. “I know how transformational this art form has been for me, and I can’t wait to welcome audiences back to regular programming so they too can experience the power of opera.” 

Although Ashley grew up in the Manitoba capital, her interest in classical music and specifically opera, has taken her around the globe. She studied vocal performance at Brandon University, the University of Manitoba, and Minnesota University, and has had opportunities to perform and participate in artist programs throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. 

Ashley was living in Germany pursuing singing opportunities, as well as learning about the language and musical culture, when the pandemic hit, and she returned to Canada in 2021 much to her mother’s relief. 

Previous arts administration experience has centered around music education and advocacy with the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, including facilitation of the yearly Music Monday celebrations across Canada. Most recently her work has focused specifically on supporting Canadian contemporary music and composers with the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto. 

She is thrilled to be able to join the MO team and has the unique perspective of also having been a member of the chorus. Ashley appeared in La Bohème, Aida, Carmen, Il Trovatore, Madama Butterfly, and Candide in Concert.

“As a former MO chorus member, I’ve developed a deep respect for the organization. Following my work with national organizations, I am excited to focus my passion within a regional and connected community, which is in my hometown. I continue to tell the team just how excited I am to be here because it’s true! I’m incredibly grateful for my own musical experiences and journey and look forward to being a part of a team that supports the opportunity for others to have life-changing experiences through opera.”

In reflecting on the past two years, Ashley feels that as hard as the pandemic has been, it has also demonstrated how vital the arts are to communities. 

“Music colours our lives and brings vitality to everyday tasks and in particular, opera creates an environment of rich sonorities that we can bring with us and improve our quality of life. It’s the connection to the essence of the story, interpreted by sets and costumes, the vibrato of the singers or strings section which literally resonates with the audience, and we experience this life-changing performance collectively, hopefully revealing a new perspective or part of ourselves.”

The arts play a large role in Ashley’s life overall, not just in her profession.

“I am on the 10-year plan with learning how to play the guitar and ukulele, and mostly for anticipated campfire sing-along experiences. As a life-long student, I love walking and exploring new places, as well as learning about languages and cultures, in particular culinary delights. I enjoy cooking for my family and am a novice baker and in that process have discovered that following a recipe usually offers better results!”

Image: Ashley Boychuk (Elvira) and David Boan (Haly), The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2017, MYOpera. Photo: D. Katz