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He pursued his undergraduate studies at Taylor University, earning a degree in General Music with a Concentration in Voice and Choral Conducting. Ashton distinguished himself early on by becoming the inaugural recipient of the JoAnn Kinghorn Rediger Scholarship for dedication to the choral music department. During his sophomore year, he composed his first large-scale work, a music drama titled “Earnestly, Thieves Never Win,” which integrated dance, spoken word, music, and design. This piece was produced by the Bahamas Ministry of Youths, Sports, and Culture and debuted at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2021.

Following his undergraduate studies, Ashton continued to develop his craft at Butler University, where he earned Dual Master’s degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance in 2024. At Butler, he demonstrated versatility by performing roles such as The Vicar in Albert Herring, Rosina the Witch in Hänsel and Gretel, Cochenille in The Tales of Hoffman, the Speaker of the Temple in Die Zauberflöte, and Bernardo in West Side Story. He also performed as a tenor soloist in notable works including Bach’s St. John Passion, Mozart’s Dominican Vespers and Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Theresienmesse, and Gardner’s Lamb of God (Peter). His achievements earned him membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, an honor society recognizing excellence in music.

Looking ahead, Ashton is preparing to begin his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Vocal Pedagogy and Vocology at The University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation will investigate an innovative intersection of psychoacoustics and chronic illness, comparing scientific pedagogic approaches with the bel canto technique. His research will also emphasize his diverse teaching styles, which encompass classical, musical theater, and contemporary music.