Ashley Brockway
30 Years Old
Class of 2020
“Teaching music at the secondary level is especially rewarding because students are choosing to be there, and it’s amazing to see how quickly they commit themselves to learn a new craft.”
Ashley Brockway hails from Prince Edward Island, but this Islander has traveled around the world.
As a music teacher for the Fort McMurray Public School Division, this seven-year resident is not only instructing lessons and theory to the children and youth of the community but has also performed for members of the Royal Family.
“I’ve had the incredible honour to perform for Prince William and Kate during their honeymoon, and in 2010, I performed on LIVE! with Regis and Kelly. A very obscure hobby but some pretty incredible memories,” she said.
Her early upbringings on the East Coast have inspired her choice of music to pursue.
“I studied the flute at university. But for the last 16 years, I’ve also played Scottish-style snare drum in competitive pipe bands across Canada,” she shared.
“My time in pipe bands has given me opportunities to travel all around the world, including to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Bermuda, and across the United States and Canada.”
She has earned accolades for her musical talents, but not alone. In 2006, her band won the North American Pipe Band Championship. One year following, they placed fourth at the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow, Scotland.
When asked why she chose her career in education she explained that it’s how she got started and said teaching music is a reward in itself.
“I was definitely inspired by great teachers of my own when I was younger,” she said. “Teaching music at the secondary level is especially rewarding because students are choosing to be there, and it’s amazing to see how quickly they commit themselves to learn a new craft.”
She also volunteers with the Wood Buffalo Youth Pipe Band. In the next year, she plans to do her Masters in Music Education through Acadia University.
When not teaching at school or in the community, you can find Ashley and her one-year-old dog Finley on the go and shared, “We love getting outside and exploring Fort McMurray.”