ABOUT ASHLEY DRAGO

Ashley Drago (Krogstad) is ABD in pursuit of her Doctorate in Musical Arts in saxophone performance with a minor in jazz studies at the University of Arizona. Drago is currently enlisted in the US Army (AZNG) as a member of the 108th Army Band where she plays with the concert band, the saxophone quartet, and the big band. Drago maintains a private studio in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. She actively performs with a rock band and a number of classical chamber musicians. In addition, Drago teaches lessons for Music and Arts and the Chicago Music Store, and she is the saxophone ensemble coach and jazz band director at Mountain Ridge High School. Drago’s professional research is centered on pedagogical methodologies, and her personal performance projects focus on premiering and recording new works by rising composers Zachary Bramble and Josh Nichols.

Drago received duel bachelor’s degrees in Music and in French Studies from South Dakota State University. She spent time abroad in France, where she became fluent in the language and conducted interdisciplinary research incorporating French studies and the saxophone. Drago has experienced competition success as winner of the SDSU Concerto/Aria Competition and state winner of the chamber division of the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition. She also received mention in both solo and chamber divisions of MTNA in 2017. Drago obtained her Master of Music from Oklahoma State University. She worked as a graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studios at both Oklahoma State and the University of Arizona where she taught lessons, ran studio classes, and was responsible for planning aspects of two regional North American Saxophone Alliance conferences. 

Drago has performed with wind ensembles, opera pit orchestras, jazz ensembles, jazz combos, saxophone quartets, mixed chamber ensembles, and rock bands. At Oklahoma State, Drago partook in the well-received big band album Solid Gold, featuring acclaimed composer and trombonist Michael Dease. She also performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago with the OSU Saxophone Octet, the U.S. Navy Band Symposium in Washington DC, and Clariedescope International Clarinet Symposium. She has lectured at regional and national conferences and remains an active member of the North American Saxophone Alliance. Drago has premiered music by composers Howard Buss, Michael Markowski, David von Kampen, Dan Forrest, Alex Shapiro, Igor Karaca, Josh Nichols, Rylande Dodge, and Zachary Bramble. During her doctoral years, Drago performed with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra and the Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors. She was recorded as the principle saxophonist on the University of Arizona’s Wind Ensemble CD, Joy and Monsters, the Music of Joel Love, and she performed as a featured soloist with the University of Arizona Symphonic Band. 

Drago has been teaching saxophone for a decade, offering instruction across various styles encompassing classical solo music, chamber music, jazz, pop/rock/funk/blues, and contemporary styles. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in methods from various instructors and mediums, offering an array of perspectives to students of all backgrounds. Drago strives to cultivate passion and enthusiasm in students by tailoring lessons to help students reach goals ranging from personal development and passion for the saxophone to preparation for competitions and auditions. Students are encouraged to pursue an array of styles that appeal to them while establishing strong fundamentals. Her students include beginning and advanced saxophonists of all ages.