Ashley Pöndl
Pianist
Violinist
Music Educator
Ashley has completed her Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees in Piano Performance at the University of Southern California and is currently living in Germany, teaching piano and violin at the Musikschule in Calw, conducting the Jugendorchester in Nagold and the Jugendkapelle in Oberwolfach and teaching Singen-Bewegen-Sprechen (SBS) in elementary education.
She has earned many honors and awards as a pianist and violinist, including a silver medal in the Seattle International Piano Competition, first prize in the Coeur D’Alene Young Artists Competition, Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) Piano Solo Competition, and Oregon Music Educators’ Association (OMEA) Solo Competition. As a violinist, Ashley has served as concertmaster of the USC Thornton School of Music Concert Orchestra and played in the violin section of the Debut Orchestra (Young Musicians Foundation) of Los Angeles. Ashley previously studied piano with Cynthia Stauffer and violin with Faina Podolnaya while establishing a successful teaching studio in Southern Oregon.
In addition to her musical achievements, Ashley has served as the Student Liaison and the Assistant Director of the Siskiyou Violins. She has performed as a violinist with the ensemble since their Carnegie Hall debut in 2005. Furthermore, Ashley also works as a tour manager for World Projects, an international tour agency who works with large ensembles, producing music festivals and international tours.
She graduated University of Southern California with a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance under Antoinette Perry with a full scholarship and a Teaching Assistant position in May of 2017. She is now living in Germany, teaching piano and violin at the music school in Calw, SBS (Singen-Bewegen-Sprechen) at Musik- und Kunstschule Freudenstadt and conducting the Jugendorchester in Nagold and the Jugendkapelle in Oberwolfach.
Teaching music has been a part of my life since freshmen year of high school. I have taught piano and violin to students from the age of four to adults. With respect and love for every individual and unique student, I like to adjust my teaching approach to help every student blossom at their maximum potential. Learning music is a journey that will last a life time and I always feel honored to be a part of this journey with all my students.
I believe that students should be exposed to all aspects of music necessary in becoming a well-rounded artist, including technique, theory, aural skills, music history, stage presence, musicianship, and sight-reading. My students will develop a strong foundation in classical music while also encouraged to explore jazz and popular music. I also believe that it is important for students to attend outside concert opportunities and participate in local youth orchestras, local competitions, and summer festivals.
I believe that the relationship between teacher, student, and parent is essential in a child’s musical journey. I value the role of parents in the learning process and it is important that every child has support and encouragement away from their lessons. Most importantly, I like to create a fun and inspiring learning atmosphere for all of my students.
Teaching music to young students has been one of the biggest factors in becoming who I am today. For me, it is a two-way street; I learn just as much from my students and I value the time we share. I deeply care and love all of my students and I will always be thrilled to be a part of their musical journey.
"I decided to play piano again in college but it has been many years since I last played. Ashley helped me rediscover my passion in music. She has been very patient, understanding, and helpful from the very beginning. I am very fortunate to have an instructor, mentor, and friend like her!"
- Vicky Lin
Global Health Major, USC
"Mit Ashley hat die Musikschule Calw einen wahren Goldschatz gewonnen: ihre mitreißende Art, die Kinder für die Musik zu begeistern ohne Druck aufzubauen, immer fürsorglich und nahbar, engagiert und fröhlich! Meine Tochter spielt nun seit 4 Jahren Geige bei Ashley, durfte bei verschiedenen von Ashley maßgeblich mitgestalteten Produktionen mitwirken und hat Freude am Musizieren im Orchester gefunden. Als Mutter bin ich Ashley einfach nur dankbar, dass sie mein Kind in dieser Zeit des Groß-Werdens nicht nur musikalisch so wunderbar begleitet, sondern auch Zuversicht und Selbstvertrauen schenkt.
So wertvoll."
- Dr. med. Anita Mayer-Pletzer
Mama von einer Schülerin
"I really enjoy having piano lessons with Ashley. She has talent in teaching. She can always find the "right" pieces for me -- pieces with a little challenge and beautiful melody. I wasn't confident about myself in piano or performance before I met her. But now I can be confident and be myself on the stage and perform piano to others! Ashley is a wonderful teacher. She taught me not only piano but also being myself."
- Chumeng Cheng
Chemical Engineering, USC
"Ashley is an amazing teacher, and she has rekindled my love for piano. Before taking Ashley’s class, I was not confident in myself as a piano player, but with her encouragements and teachings, I now can say I feel comfortable playing in front of a crowd. Ashley not only taught me the techniques of piano playing, but the underlying theory behind it, which I have found extremely helpful. With this knowledge, when I look at a sheet of music, I don’t just see notes, but scales and arpeggios.
She is incredibly patient and supportive. Her advice is always constructive and meant to bolster my learning. If I made a mistake, it was never chastised, but used as an example of how to improve. Out of all the piano teachers I’ve had, Ashley has done the most to supplement my learning, and I have seen myself improve exponentially. In a matter of months, I went from playing simple pieces to playing Bach’s Invention No.1. I could have never imagined myself improving so much in such a short period of time, but because of Ashley, I have.
Not only have I improved, but I also had a great time learning. Ashley turns the classroom into a place of fun. I looked forward to going to class, and would always miss it if I had to be absent. I can never thank Ashley enough for all her teachings. Because of her, I have found such great comfort in piano."
- Johara Morovati
Business Administration Major, USC
"I had never had any piano instruction, or any serious music instruction for that matter, before working with Ashley. Over the course of my two years working with her, I developed a wide variety of skills that I think has both left me with a wonderful hobby and equipped me with the skills to continue to grow in whatever environment I find myself next. She was very clear, patient, and persistent in teaching me the fundamentals of theory in such a way that I am now comfortable reading and, to a degree, analyzing music. More significantly, I am conversant in theory even with people that make a living out of music.
Ashley shared and explained a great many techniques and practices that allowed me to learn pieces quickly yet correctly and helped grow my independence in learning a piece of music. Because of her dedication and diligence to her students, I was able to gain valuable performance experience through the recitals she organized. Ashley was careful to expose me to a wide variety of styles and genres, from classical to pop to improv to jazz, ensuring I had a well rounded musicality. Indeed she really encouraged a beautiful experience of playing piano that is cognizant of all its different facets more than just hitting the right key at the right time. On top of all this, I always had fun in my lessons and as much as I was learning I felt like I was spending time with a friend!"
- Rick Ley
Computer Engineering & Computer Science, USC
