About Ashleigh Budlong
Ashleigh Budlong is a versatile upright and electric bassist active in New York City and Philadelphia, known for her wide-ranging musical fluency and deep commitment to collaborative artistry. As a well-rounded instrumentalist, Ashleigh has built a career performing across genres—from classical and jazz to rock and new musical theater works.
She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Upright Bass from Temple University [2023], where she not only honed her technical foundation and artistic voice, but also discovered her passion for playing musical theater and developed essential skills as an educator. Her training includes mentorship with respected educators and musicians such as Anne Peterson, Domenick Fiore, and Michelle Osbourne [Six the musical], as well as Yonit Spiegelman and Randy Landau through the Maestra Mentorship Program [2024]. She further developed her musical theater experience at the 2024 Montclair Broadway Institute, working with Chad Smith, Bryan Hernandez-Luch, and Meg Zervoulis.
Ashleigh’s performance credits include appearances at renowned venues like The Kimmel Center, Bucks County Playhouse, 54 Below, and subbing at The Arden Theatre. She has played for a wide range of acclaimed performers including Andy Mientus, Noah J. Ricketts, Krystina Alabado, KO, Nia Ashleigh, Alaina Anderson, Sabrina Shah, RJ Christian, Sophia Manicone, and more!
Passionate about supporting new voices in the arts, Ashleigh frequently collaborates on original works by composers and creators such as Robi Hagar, Jack Denman, Jake Collins, Nina Osso, Patrick Tice-Carroll, Mimi Warnick, and Adam J. Rineer.
In addition to her performance career, Ashleigh serves as the Director of Orchestras at Springhouse Middle School in the Parkland School District, where she fosters the growth of young musicians and encourages a love of orchestral music. She also offers private bass lessons, providing individualized instruction for students of all ages and skill levels. More details about lessons can be found on the Bass Lessons tab.
As a woman bass player, Ashleigh is deeply committed to increasing visibility and representation of women in the bass community and beyond. She believes in the power of representation to inspire the next generation of musicians and to challenge industry norms.
Ashleigh is proud to have recently participated in a unique collaboration between Airbnb and acclaimed electric bassist Blu DeTiger, known for her viral bass performances, solo career, and work with artists such as Caroline Polachek and Bleachers. Held in an intimate Brooklyn studio setting, the experience included a private master class where Ashleigh had the opportunity to explore electric bass techniques, plug in and improvise one-on-one with Blu, and engage in meaningful conversations about the music industry. It was a powerful space for connection, especially among women in the bass world, and further deepened Ashleigh’s dedication to community, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Equally at home in pit orchestras, recording studios, and live venues, Ashleigh brings sensitivity, groove, and adaptability to every musical setting.
Interested in working with Ashleigh? For more information or to inquire about lessons and performance opportunities, click on the Contact tab to get in touch!