Bio
A Boston native, Asha began playing violin and viola at age six and is a graduate of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School where she studied privately with Boston Symphony Orchestra members Michael Zaretsky and Edward Gazouleas.
Many years of classical training followed until she ultimately earned a Bachelor in Music Performance (Viola) from Wellesley College. Upon graduation, she headed to New York City where she plunged into the world of “alternative” string music and began studying with Julie Lyonn Lieberman.
In 2004, Asha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time music career on her electric 7-string Viper violin designed by Mark Wood. She is currently the lead violinist of the Trans Siberian West Coast Tour and has toured with Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Gnarls Barkley, opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and performing at the 2007 Grammys. She has played with such artists as Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, Black Eyed Peas and Roger Daltry (The WHO). Additionally she has appeared on such shows as The Tonight Show with Alanis Morrisette, the Ellen Show with the Jonas Brothers and the MTV Movie Awards. She performs regularly with American Idol band and can be seen on the Three Doors Down video, Landing in London.
In May 2006, Asha joined Porcelain, a rock band originally from Australia that is signed to Universal (US)/Island (Australia). They recently finished recording their debut album which will be released in Australia in early 2010. Asha has spent summers performing at Aspen, Tanglewood, Mark O’Connor’s Fiddle Conference, Jazz String Fling at Berklee College of Music.
As a breast cancer survivor at age 24, Asha is also active in spreading awareness to young women, and her story has been featured in many national magazines as well as on The Today Show, The Montel Williams Show and Lifetime Television. She has organized numerous benefit concerts to raise money for breast cancer, and if you wish to contact her about a benefit concert, please use the contact form.